Maldaner's is by far the best restaurant in Springfield. They use only the best quality fresh and local ingredients. The menu is unique and exceptional. The seasonal specials are amazing and dependable, and draw diners like myself year after year for items like morel pie, cucumber shrimp soup and fall risottos. The morel pie is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted and I have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the US. There are also classic dishes like Beef Wellington that are delight to indulge in and you cannot get a better steak anywhere. Highly recommend is an understatement. read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our first experience at Maldaner's. The atmosphere includes historical art along with dark wood and etched glass. We enjoyed prompt seating and interaction with the wait staff. Tasty bread came quickly to the table along with our drinks. We heard great reviews in regards to the morel pie and ordered a piece as an appetizer. We enjoyed it. Our entrees included scallops for me and salmon for my wife. We've eaten in many restaurants around the US and both dishes beat any we've experienced anywhere. We may have been lucky getting seated as they asked if we made reservations, which we hadn't on a Wednesday night. If you plan to dine at Maldener's you might want to make one. read more

Ive been to a few of springfields upscale places and this is one of my new favorites. I loved the dessert, apple crisp with ice cream and my steak was cooked properly which i dont always see at a restaurant. They could of hit the steamed vegetables with some seasoning and i wouldnt of minded read more

I have had really good meals here. It can be really crowded but their upstairs is awesome if you are looking to rent a place out.

Came here for lunch. Food was lackluster for the price. I get that it's a Springfield "staple" but I wouldn't go back.

We enjoyed our food and the service was nice also. The appetizers were portioned nicely and the meals were well balanced. I enjoyed the environment and this place made a great date night spot. Very romantic read more

Read the menu and reviews and decided to try this restaurant for carry out while I was traveling through Springfield. I have to say sadly disappointed. Portions were small for the money I paid. Although the food seemed to be fresh. I told the gal on the phone no beets in the warm goat cheese salad and there were tons of beet chunks in there. They were nice to give me 6 slices of bread but there was no butter or oil included. read more

Maldaner's Restaurant - Warm Goat Cheese Salad - American Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

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Michael Higgins Knows what he is doing! His cold shrimp dill soup is OVER the top. In addition to that, my wife & I had the salmon salad - pistachio encrusted salmon filet on top of spicy noodles and mixed greens. Salmon done perfectly. Everything we have ever had there is excellent - service is top notch. Highly recommend. read more

In from out of town and really enjoyed this place. Highly recommend for drinks and food and service

Decor and food is like a place I would have gone to on a prom date in the 1980s. Historic for sure.

I really wanted to give this place five stars. The wait staff was great and we were seated right away Came here to celebrate my daughter's MCAT Exams. Ordered a martini which was right on spot. We both ordered the Beef Wellington and the French onion soup. Horrible tasting soup... had way too much sweetness to it, like sherry or something. I sent it back. The Beef Wellington although cooked correctly had no flavor at all. We decided to skip dessert . Wasn't impressed even though I left a 20% tip. Don't think I will return. Too bad since everyone local was raving about this place. read more

Delicious food and great service! Atmosphere was quiet and charming, perfect for date night.

We held a work dinner here on 3/5/19. The room is directly upstairs, above the restaurant- nothing fancy! There were a few party rooms, however note that not all were sound-proof. Our room was set to specification (U-shape). They served beer and wine and then we ordered off of a menu we had identified ahead of time. I chose the salmon which was served with polenta and asparagus which was accompanied by a mixed green salad prior. The presentation was very nice and it was quite tasty. The service for our party was well done and the food came out in a very timely fashion, even when we had one late legislator who got caught up in meetings.My only complaint would be the sound of the other parties. Additionally, we had music being pumped into the room. About the time I realized the music wasn't from the other group and was in our room (as I was trying to focus on our president presenting) the server asked if he should cut the music, not only that, but he closed a door on the partition that I didn't even realize was there-- or I'd had him address both of these issues from the beginning and turn it off right away. The very next day our president suggested stopping here for lunch on our way back from the Capitol (we were walking back) to our hotel the Doubletree which is pretty much kitty korner from Maldaner's. Our lunch was simple- we both ordered soup and salad - but it took forevvvver, and there were not that many people in the dining room. Additionally, it took some time to get our bill. When we did get it, it took her forever to come back and run the card! read more

Maldaner's Restaurant - Salmon - American Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

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The service was good. My Manhattan was fine. The bread was good. The beef Wellington was terrible. Over cooked, under seasoned, soggy crust. Disappointed and my meal was expensive read more

I really like Maldaner's. Old school interior and nightly specials. It's quiet and is a good place to go if you want to conduct a business discussion. My favorite dish is the lamb chops on lentils. They had a great pork shoulder in a green sauce a couple of years ago. It was a special. I keep hoping they'll bring it back. So good. read more

Decided to try this place out with a friend today. As soon as we entered, the hostess was very rude and told us that she had no tables. When my friend and I looked, we both saw 6 available tables. We were also told very rudely to leave, as we did not have a reservation. I will never try to support this business ever again. read more

The ambiance was awesome, the food fabulous (salmon and halibut) the drinks too good:) and the service (Samantha) excellent. Extremely nice experience read more

After being turned away from Caitie Girl's, the bf and I frantically called Maldaners the Saturday before Valentine's to see if they could find room for us. They said we could come on down and they would get us in. The place was bustling. They still had Christmas decorations up, which we found slightly alarming, but it belied the quality experience that was to come. We ordered mussels that were swimming in a green-onion goat cheese bath that were truly as good as anything I've had in New Orleans. The mussels were perfectly cooked - large and tender- not at all overdone or chewy. We also had the Carpaccio, which was out of this world divine. As my mother's late best friend would say, "this is so good I want to take my britches off and sit in it." The bf ordered the Beef Wellington. I swooned when I tasted it, I'm pretty sure. I had the Seared Tuna Loin, rare sashimi-grade tuna that came served over a freaking phenomenal Shiitake mushroom salad with a mildly spicy tuna tartare (YUM), dressed with a Blood Orange and Ginger Vinaigrette. The presentation of all our dishes was beautiful, the service incredibly friendly, accommodating, and quick but not rushed. This is a fantastic place, and I can't wait to go back! read more

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We were in town, traveling last summer, and decided to stop at this restaurant for lunch as typically an older "staple" restaurant is a good bet. But we were wrong. Although there weren't a lot of people in the restaurant, the service was practically non-existent which included the long wait for a server to take our order, the long wait for the order to arrive and I had to ask three times for the check (once of the maitre d' and twice of the server). The food was lackluster in flavor and appearance but what really surprised us was the dirtiness and how unkempt the restaurant was. There was food on the booth we sat at, food on the floor both under the table and out between the tables, a fork under the table and the table across from us was not bussed the entire time we were there. I sent a letter to the owner when we got home and have not received a reply, now, six months later. We were very disappointed and do not recommend this restaurant. read more

Walking into the dining room at Maldaner's, you'll feel like you're in a cross between a Chicago steakhouse and a farm house kitchen. The leather booths and etched glass partitions combine with the Americana kitsch to create something uniquely Springfield. The food is the same: somewhere in between haute cuisine and midwest comfort-food staples. We were directed to Maldaner's by a ranger at the nearby Lincoln national monument. I was looking for one of Springfield's famous horseshoe sandwiches, and boy did I find it here. Maldaner's horseshoe is a pile of french fries, on top of a hamburger patty, on top of texas toast, all smothered in cheese sauce. Sounds disgusting to many, but it's actually incredible. The fries were fresh and crispy, the hamburger tender and tasty, the toast buttery, and the cheese sauce tangy without being fake-cheesy. All together, it was great. The other thing we ordered was a french dip, which was also great. There are also fancier, more traditional entrees on the menu that I wouldn't hesitate to try on a return trip, given the quality of the horseshoe. read more

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Great scenery, good to host an event at but honestly i did NOT like the food. I had a beef horseshoe.. terrible. As for the other food i'm not sure. read more

Yes! It is always worth finding a parking spot downtown to eat at Maldaner's. Always! From fine dining inside and out on a nice summer evening, we love enjoying Chef Mike's cuisine. He loves to use the local farmers market for inspiration and you know it from the menu and delicious creations. The Beef Wellington, filet's, chicken and salmon dishes are all winners. The service, atmosphere and meal will provide a perfect evening for all. It's one of Springfield's most popular and loved places to bring our guests. read more

it is the best of the best. a Springfield institution that NEVER disappoints. from Chef Michael to our server Shyla. of course we will be back when we retuRn in August. read more

I had dinner at Maldaner's Restaurant and it was very good. Springfield has a limited number of good restaurants and this is one of the best in town. I started with the french onion soup, which was a bit disappointing, I liked the cheese, but the soup was rather bland. For my entree I tried the beef wellington which is a "Maldaner's Specialty". The beef was cooked very well, it was tender and juicy, but I'm not sure I would order this again. The service was good and attentive, I never had to ask for a refill of my drink. I would eat here again when in town. read more

It is a bit pricey for the $$ category, but you can essentially consider it a $$$ steakhouse Old fashioned menu and preparation, very European, which we appreciated. No oversaucing nor overseasoning nor over-molten-cheesing vegetables or mashed potatoes... A perfect ribeye, medium-rare to perfection. All in the cooking is done to put emphasis on the high quality of ingredients. Delicious dessert: also of French influence in the sense that it was less sweet and more crunchy than your average Midwestern restaurant. Now I like it very cheesy and super-gravied now and then, but I also liked variation for a change... read more

Maldaner's Restaurant - Pecan tart - American Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

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Just went for lunch again. A few tourists were there. It's one of the few places you can eat downtown that has a great atmosphere of wood paneling and banquette seating. They have a better choice for vegetarians than most places. The food is generally good but sometimes falls short depending on what you have. Full service. read more

Had lunch here with a colleague of mine. Ordered the vegetable soup and club sandwich. The vegetable soup was filled with veggies but lacked flavor. The club sandwich is served on thick French toast. But the meat was pretty much what you get from the Hillshire Farm section of the grocery store. Service was friendly and prompt. read more

The fact that I was only in Springfield on a Monday, and they're only open for lunch on Mondays, meant that I missed my first opportunity in literally decades to have Beef Wellington, which is only on the dinner menu. So I had the prime rib lunch special, instead. It was good prime rib, and the green beans that came with it were outstanding. This restaurant has been around since the 1880s, the tourist guides say, but that's nothing to be scared of. Neither stuffy nor intimidating. read more

This place, on any other day, might be a 4 star. However, today was not so great for my family. They were likely understaffed and the wait was extreme. We were there for lunch and from time to order to finally getting our check paid, we were there over 1.5 hours. The waiter, who was new, was overwhelmed with the number of tables he had. We had to ask for water refills. The food was ok but the homemade chips and fries were good. The hamburger was somewhat bland and the patties were likely frozen and not fresh meat. I should have looked at the menu better to check the prices. I do not think it was worth the money. read more

Fantastic place to go to! Very delicious. Real food that is fresh and top quality! Wonderful vintage atmosphere. Staff fantastic. read more

Maldaner's Restaurant - American Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

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A really fine meal. A great place to meet friends. The ambience was very nice, and the service was impeccable.

174$ for two people to eat - 2 drinks, 1 salad and two entrees. Both entrees were cooked wrong. No apologies, no check back nothing. When did they go sooooo downhill? Very disappointed with all of the money spent. It was for my mothers birthday and she was sooo unhappy. read more

Homemade desserts and chips and more... Once in a while my husband and I get to Springfield. This is our new favorite restaurant. While the ambiance is traditional and the decor a little shopworn, the food is contemporary and delicious. We had time, money and an appetite when we stopped for a late Tuesday lunch. A decent wine list, and reasonable prices for the food quality and we enjoyed it all. Service was wonderful - thanks Danny. Next time we're in town we will definitely be back! read more

After hosting a dinner every October for 5+ years during a conference with adequate service and flavors, i will now never go back. The last dinner had one server who was nearly mute as to why salads and soups had not come out 45 min after ordering and always absent. When the starters came the french onion soup was cold for all 5 who ordered them. The entrees failed the same. When i asked to see a manager a sloppy person i later learned was the owner cursed me out using langague not appropriate in any setting especially this one. Sad to see a kitchen crash anywhere, but the vulgarity and aggressiveness warrents a career shift. read more

A hidden gem in the heart of downtown Springfield. The food here is elegant of a level unexpected for a southern Illinois destination. The meals were cooked well, including the soft shell crab, but there was something lacking when it came to tenderness. The waitstaff is pretty attentive but seemingly disappeared when it came to check time, and did not ask whether they could remove a plate or get a refill on a drink, they just did it. This means my dinner companion didn't actually get to finish her meal to her satisfaction, and I was charged for an extra drink I didn't want. The atmosphere is nice and meshes well with the history of the area. Parking is abundant. And reservations didn't seem to be needed on a friday night. Good place with a lot of class, only minor slip ups. read more

Maldaner's Restaurant - Inside of the restaurant - American Near Me - Springfield, Illinois

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Food can be very good, but cleanliness and comfortable ambiance are inconsistent. This is an iconic restaurant for the city and at it's best, deserves its reputation as one of the best in town. I'm sure many tourists default to this place, so the restaurant gets away with some things because the tourists are not returning customers. The risotto and sea bass were very good. But not as appealing, when the server is wearing food-stained unwashed clothing. Or, when the menus are clearly not being cleaned and there's food debris in the spine of the opened menu. Even without a pandemic, that inattention to detail is a turn-off for me. I don't tolerate that at the neighborhood diner anymore, why would it be ok at one of the most reputable and pricy restaurants in the city? Two 1st courses, 1 main course, 3 glasses of wine and one dessert were about $150 for two of us. And no, I didn't splurge on wine. In fact, the wine list is very disappointing, well below the caliber of the food. It's been that way for years and I don't understand why they feature wines that sell at the gas station for $9.99/bottle. Why not invest a little energy and creativity into the wine list. It doesn't need to be esoteric or pricy, but how about something that' just a little more curated and matches the ambition of the food? The other better restaurants in town have a much higher bar on their wine offerings There was another thing which was just very odd, but I understand not everyone would care about this or notice. Sitting outside, there was some background music that first seemed just fine. Then I noticed that the music was the same 3 minutes of some riffing by a piano player, continuously looped, so that in the 1st ten minutes I heard the same cheesy solo 3 times. When I asked the staff if they could change the music, they declined, saying the management insisted this music be played. At least they agreed to turn it down. Is this some kind of music licensing issue? Why would they continually play the same 3 minutes of jazzy imitation music looped indefinitely? Very weird and very annoying. My idiosyncrasy, I suppose. But think, what if any tune you were familiar with and maybe even like, was continuously looped in 3 minutes fragments for the entire time you were in the restaurant. Would you enjoy that? read more

Excellent slice of Springfield history great food, great desserts, try the lemon sorbet and you won't be disappointed

Had graduation dinner for my daughter, the server was fantastic, we ordered beef Wellington served over mashed potatoes, it was our first time and were so looking forward to a delicious meal. Unfortunately it was the most bland dinner I've ever had, the mashed potatoes tasted like instant and had no flavor, the beef Wellington had beautiful presentation but lacked any kind of seasoning. Very disappointed in the food, but the ambiance, the front end staff were very good. read more

I was with two friends, and we all had the fried chicken lunch special. It was very good and a winner with all of us. The green beans, which I believe were grilled, were especially good. read more

This is one of the oldest restaurants in the state of Illinois, and the oldest in Springfield. This place is another opportunity to experience the history of Springfield. Maldaner's is consistently one of the best restaurants in Downtown Springfield. The chef shops at the local farmer's market and uses many local products on his menu. Their Beef Wellington is hands down my favorite meal in Springfield. The steak is covered in a delicious pastry crust and always perfectly cooked. They also have an affordable lunch menu including excellent daily specials. The service is always professional and prompt. On top of all of this, Maldaner's is a green business using rooftop solar panels, garden, and bee hives. read more