Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Osteria Papavero

    4.0 (286 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

    Osteria Papavero Photos

    Business Info

    OSTERIA PAPAVERO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise

    You might also consider

    More like Osteria Papavero

    Recommended Reviews - Osteria Papavero

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ellena K.

    Our server Samantha was an absolute delight. So knowledgeable about the menu and so enjoyable to be around :). Made our night. I am always so incredibly impressed by Osteria. The specials last night were so unique and delicious. Also loved the grand taste appetizer! Lastly, the butterscotch desert was so amazing and flavorful!!

    Butterscotch pudding & lemon cake
    Morgan S.

    Do not sleep on the butterscotch pudding it is incredible, definitely stole the show and could not recommend it more even if you don't like butterscotch. We started with the burrata, calzone and bread. They had this delicious flat bread (kind of looks like a pop tart) and that was incredible. The calzone and burrata were an awesome mix to start and both were delicious. I had the veal special for my main and it was cooked to perfection. They change the menu a lot to match with what is in season so definitely a spot to come back to. The service was top tier and ambiance was great, low light and perfect for a nice dinner out.

    Fodutta - Lunch Special 10/3
    K. M.

    A new favorite spot. Amazing service, great food, and I love that they have a rotating menu. The ambience is also super cute

    Wagyu steak and frites
    Allison N.

    I think we found our new date night spot! My husband and I visited for dinner. We mentioned our reservation and were seated right away at a bar type seat looking out the window. I think next time we will request a table as the chairs are very tall and even though I usually enjoy that, it was hard to enjoy the atmosphere as much that way. Also street parking is pretty much non-existent with the nearby construction so you'll probably have to park in a ramp if you are driving. For the food we loved everything we had, especially the seafood trio. I was scared to order it worried it would not meet my elevated seafood criteria, but it was better than I could have expected! It was squid, octopus, and fried oysters and they were all cooked perfectly. I really couldn't believe it. This and the tartare we great appetizers (my husband raved about the tartare although it was just okay for me). Plus the bread basket and extra piece of fry bread were also amazing. For our mains I had the mushroom and cheese crepe with butternut squash on top and it was delicious. It was served way too hot unfortunately, the only thing that would have made our meal better was by waiting to serve it a little longer. My husband had the wagyu steak special and it was cooked to perfection. Even the frites were delicious. For dessert we had the chocolate torte and it was one of the best desserts I've had in Madison. We also had an affogato, which I love, and the espresso it came with was excellent. Our beverages were also good and I liked the Italian wine selection. We will definitely be back soon, and are excited about how often the specials change as we can't wait to try other menu items.

    Meat plate
    Cristin N.

    This is a small and cute place. The service is good. I would call it "cozy". It has some unique and hearty dishes. Don't come here looking for a super Americanized Italian meal like Olive Garden because it's not that. As always allow extra time for parking downtown in the capitol area.

    Grilled Meat Trio
    John T.

    I thought this place was a tad overpriced and overrated. Service was pretty good but not out of the ordinary. Food was eh, I wasn't really impressed with what I ordered (with the exception of one thing which I'll get to). Ordered the "Meat Plate" which comes with 3 grilled meats. They rotate depending on the day. When I visited, it was a grilled sausage, grilled whole quail and a lamb chop. Grilled sausage was disgusting, I took one bite and could not finish it. Quail was unremarkable, seemed to absorb a lot of the smokey flavor of the grill and that overpowered the meat. As previously mentioned, all would have been lost if not for the lamb chop I had. Without question, that singular lamb chop saved my dinner. If not for it, this would have been a 1-2 star review. If they ever decide to make a dish that is purely lamb chops prepared in the way I had it, I am positive it would be a success. Also had dessert here which I was pretty impressed by. I had some ice cream which was pretty good but I also had a maple crème brûlée which was fantastic. Overall, ok spot, don't think I'll be back (unless they make a lamb chop entree dish ;) )

    House made bread
    Rick R.

    The chef here was a 2023 James Beard finalist for best chef Midwest region, so I stopped in to check it out. The place was busy. There was one open 2-top and two bar stools, so I grabbed a spot at the bar. I decided to stick to the specials menu, even though the regular menu looked great, too. I ordered the Quaglia appetizer and the Pescatora from the entrees. I was greeted by the bartender when I sat. The hostess had already given me the menus when she sat me at the bar. They started me with house made bread served warm and delicious! The Quaglia is a fried buttermilk marinated half quail with Brussels sprouts, bacon, and potato skins. There were different layers of flavors, and the fried quail was perfect! Great dish! The Pescatora is Trofie pasta (short, twisted strands) with scallop, grouper, tuna, mussels, clams, calamari, tomato, and wine. Another great dish, but I wish the pasta was all made in house. I learned that the stuffed pasta is made in house. For James Beard, I expected all to be made from scratch. Overall, a great little place worth visiting.

    Budino de caramello
    Sho R.

    I took out dinner from here on Memorial day. They forgot to mention the place was close, and my order went through. But they appologized for the mistake and opened the kitchen only to make my order. Cingiale was my entree and it was an excellent pasta dish. I also went for the dessert budino de caramello, because others have recommended. That was just ok. May be that should have been refrigerated before serving.

    Lindsay K.

    This is most definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Madison -- and some of the best Italian food you'll find in the U.S. It's a small place with a very intimate atmosphere. You might be able to hear your neighbor's conversation but the noise level is generally not too bad. I brought guests who are foodies from Chicago and even they agreed that the food here was absolutely phenomenal. Amazing limoncello, great drink list, great NA list - you can't go wrong. The budino de caramello dessert is the best - I would have this dessert over any and it is the basis of my visits to Osteria Papavero. As such, I rarely order appetizers so that I can save room for dessert. Recently we split the mushroom soup/stew and it was marvelous. I loved all the different kinds of mushrooms they had in there. While they were fun to observe, they were very challenging to eat as a soup with a spoon... it might cut down on presentation but they really need to dice up those mushrooms so eating it isn't such a chore. The mushroom to broth ratio got all out of whack. For the main course, the cinghiale was so good the first time I ordered it the last time I went back, too. The service is likewise wonderful and usually quite attentive. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and I love that they know the food and can make suggestions. It's always a treat to eat here.

    Pappardelle alle Cinghiale
    Michelle L.

    Such a cute and cozy Italian spot for dinner! I made a reservation here for a party of 3 weeks in advance. We ended up having 4 in the party and they were graciously able to still accommodate us. It is a very small space inside, so I felt like the other customers were seated decently close to us. I'd say the service could be a bit better - it was a while before anyone came over to take our order and I felt like it was kind of difficult to ask for what we need. Once our server was there though, she was great in answering all our questions and giving us a run down of what we needed to know. I ordered the pappardelle alle cinghiale, which was delicious and seemed like the perfect portion size! My mom got the squid ink pasta and she enjoyed it. We also received complimentary bread which was perfectly warm and salty - as if it had just come out of the oven! We did get a side of the olive oil as a dipping sauce and that was perfect for the bread. Honestly the bread was one of the biggest highlights for me during this meal. The menu is pretty small so if you're someone who's picky or in a group with dietary restrictions, this may not be the best place to go for plenty of options. Seems like a lot of people tend to get wine here to pair with their meals as well, and it seems pretty on par with other nice Italian restaurants in terms of price. I'd love to come back and try out the other items on their menu!

    Tortelli special
    Troy R.

    The food was amazing, the atmosphere warm and great waiter who met our needs quickly and charmingly. We will absolutely come back again! Give it a shot if you are into a quiet warm Italian food with great atmosphere.

    formaggi
    Melissa L.

    Cheese plate was good, nothin crazy. Pasta was mediocre, thought mine would have more nduja but it was more like fettuccine with tomato sauce, pretty one dimensional. My partner got the tortellacci-- filling was delicious but pasta itself was too thick/doughy around the edges. Service was friendly and attentive. Nice ambiance for a date night, but food was nothing to rave about.

    Saus Tagliatelle con 'Nduja

    See all

    14 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L L.
    0
    43
    0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K. M.
    0
    30
    42

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 3

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sho R.
    105
    1778
    7676

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris B.
    104
    17
    2

    9 months ago

    Don't really have words how great our experience was. From the service to the food. The lasagna was incredible, best I've ever had.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Pasta was rubbery, and the food was overpriced. Bread basket was cold plain bread with no butter or oil to go with it.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M H.
    0
    12
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sue Q.
    0
    14
    0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Food and drinks were wonderful! The service is great too. I loved the bread basket provided - such a good experience!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of G T.
    0
    14
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Osteria Papavero

    You might also consider

    Tempest Oyster Bar - Oysters

    Tempest Oyster Bar

    4.1(449 reviews)
    0.0 miCapitol
    $$$

    This is one of my favorite spots for happy hour that have discount oysters which they have a great…read moreselection of. There cocktails are wonderful and really good food! Definitely suggest the boat

    tempest Oyster Bar has quickly become one of my favorite spots in Madison, and I can't recommend it…read moreenough. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is perfectly sophisticated yet welcoming, with a classy, nautical vibe that feels upscale without being stuffy. The historic building (with its cool backstory) adds a unique charm, and whether you're at the bar, in the Boat Room, or on the patio during happy hour, it just feels special. The drinks are top-notch. Their cocktail menu is creative and well-executed think perfectly balanced classics and inventive options that pair beautifully with seafood. The wine and beer selection is solid too, with plenty of crisp whites that complement the menu. But the real stars are the oysters and crab legs. The oysters are incredibly fresh (they boast daily shipments), briny, and perfectly shucked some of the best I've had anywhere. We ordered a mix from the raw bar and couldn't stop. The crab legs? Outstanding huge, sweet, and steamed to perfection, with just the right amount of seasoning so the natural flavor shines through. Paired with their drawn butter, it was pure indulgence. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, the portions generous, and everything felt thoughtfully prepared. If you're craving excellent seafood in a great setting, make a reservation at Tempest you won't be disappointed!

    Photos
    Tempest Oyster Bar - Bar

    Bar

    Tempest Oyster Bar - Upside down pear cake

    Upside down pear cake

    Tempest Oyster Bar

    See all

    Graze - Heirloom tomatoes with local burrata cheese.  Fresh and yum

    Graze

    3.9(1.4k reviews)
    0.1 miCapitol
    $$

    We came for regular brunch menu on Easter Sunday. The ambience is open, airy, and inviting. Service…read morewas prompt and accurate. However, our server wasn't super familiar with the menu and didn't know what was in certain dishes. We ordered a variety of dishes. Overall, everyone liked their meals. The flavors were great. Love the Korean fusion. However... despite that we were the first ones in the door, they did not have the chicken that was on the menu. That seemed strange to all of us that they didn't plan ahead for a holiday weekend. A solid restaurant would usually have their menu items well stocked prior to a holiday weekend. Overall, still a good expertise if you're willing to be flexible.

    I know most people like it here, but everytime I've been here over the years something has gone…read moreastray. This time we went to Sunday brunch with a group, including some kids. We had reservations, so we were seated right away which was a plus. Also, I will say I don't think any of the issues we had were because of our waitress. She was super friendly and quick enough to take our orders on a day when there restaurant seemed full enough, but manageable. We got our drink orders in and our food at the same time to speed up the process for getting little kids food, and the waitress even took note of that. We also ordered an appetizer to help during the wait. It took a while for the drinks to come out, but they were all rather tasty. I think my apple cider mocktail was the best and refreshing since it was getting hot in the restaurant with the sun beating in. Our food however took forever and the kids meals did not come out any earlier than everyone else. One person in our group also initially didn't get his meal, which the waitress apologized and said there was a mixup in the kitchen. That's fine, it happens, but then the staff running meals tried to bring him the wrong order 3 times. The rest of us were all finished eating by the time he finally got his food. Overall, the food was fine. I got the eggs benedict which was a little underdone on the eggs for me as the whites were too runny for me. The kids chicken nuggets were pretty tasty with a flaky breading. I heard decent reviews of the breakfast burger, but the thing that was the best to us was the breakfast sandwich. It was quite messy, but the messiness of the sauce was worth it. We also got an appetizer of the cinnamon roll. I feel like it's a little mislabeled though, as it was more like a morning bun with some frosting/glaze over the top. Tasted pretty good and helped keep kids entertained for a while. Overall, the food was fine, but the experience wasn't great. With the multiple mixups in orders and getting a little green house effect going with the sun shining in, there wsnt a great feeling when leaving. Again, I don't think it was our waitresses fault, so not sure what was going on in the kitchen.

    Photos
    Graze
    Graze - The reason for five stars!  Chefs Signature Korean pork belly, local Hook cheddar "grits", aka polenta. From NY Times feature

    The reason for five stars! Chefs Signature Korean pork belly, local Hook cheddar "grits", aka polenta. From NY Times feature

    Graze - Basque cake, spongy and tart.  Most popular dessert

    See all

    Basque cake, spongy and tart. Most popular dessert

    Sardine

    Sardine

    4.1(716 reviews)
    0.3 miWilliamson - Marquette
    $$

    I don't even like seafood but this fish themed bar was a blast! We saw the good reviews and…read moredecided to try it out. On a busy Saturday we couldn't even get a reservation til 9:30. We arrived at 9 and tried to frt seated early. No dice. But we sat the bar and had spritzers and appetizers. Not bad! Lots of local brews and ciders, plus plenty of open sparkling wine. The signature sardines were imported and served in the tin. What, you thought they came from lake Monona? It's across the parking lot, but these were from Spain. I'm told they were good. Let my take a moment to mention how friendly the service was. At the bar and all the helpers, I can't believe how kind and friendly they were. Order a little or a lot they were there to serve. By the time we got a table we were well on our way. Our server was excellent. Super nice, and knowledgeable about the menu He talk to us about the menu and took our orders from memory. We ordered everything from his suggestions. It was good move. We had the special scallops. They were 10U size, meaning 10 her pound. Each plate came with three peices. Th hey were good. We also ordered the lamb chops. Seated with a burnt crust. I think wrapped in bacon. Wow we really enjoyed it too. Dessert almost got skipped we're so full from a weekend of eating. He highly recommended the butterscotch pudding. It was like a big cup of pudding. It was amazing, highly recommend. We also shared a standard vanilla crème brûlée, which was merely very good. Light fluffy and perfectly crusted. Yes the food was good. The vibe was energetic. But what really made it enjoyable me was the friendly service and knowledge of the food.

    Located in the Machinery Row Building at the large intersection of Williamson Street and John Nolen…read moreDrive, Sardine is a local, modern and elevated spot serving up fresh and creative dishes with a menu rooted in local and sustainable dishes, especially of the seafood variety! We found our way to Sardine after their recent nod in the NY Times, so we made a reservation for a Thursday evening and off we went! The location is stellar, not only is the space expertly curated to give a slightly elevated vibe, but it also provides a fish house-y feeling as the colors, decor, lighting and wood throughout lend themselves to a spot known for seafood. In addition to the interior, they are located right on the lakefront, which creates calming and gorgeous views from inside or outside! Before diving into the food, we landed on a few cocktails to start the night off with. The cocktail menu was well laid out with house and classic cocktails along with a section solely dedicated to tableside served Absinthe! We went with a classic and house cocktail respectively. I seemed to enjoy my Pimms Cup a bit more than my buddy enjoyed his Old Fashioned, but he made a pivot to a beer for his second drink, so all was saved! Food wise, as noted, they are seafood forward, but have a few other offerings for those land dwellers! The menu is not expansive, but it is robust in the areas of offerings from apps to oysters, salads to sides and of course entrees. For our starter, we went with the warm goat cheese, because I am currently obsessed with warm fancy cheese dip style dishes, no shame! The cheese came with grilled bread, however the bread was a bit hard and made enjoying the creamy texture and feel of the goat cheese complicated. I would have much preferred a softer variety of bread or toast, or a less grilled portion. For dinner once of us went seafood, the other steak. The swordfish was light, well cooked and delightful. The steak frites were a bit heavier with less components, but no less tasty! The mustard sauce served on the side was perfection and a perfect accompaniment. For a fairly plain dish, the simple preparation was good, and the fries were crisp and well seasoned. It was not the best steak frites I have ever had, but it was a steak dish from a seafood spot, so I respect it and still enjoyed it quite a bit! Service was stellar from entry to exit. Getting to the host(ess) stand can be a bit confusing as it is located in the middle of the restaurant, but once there, they take care of you! Our server was kind, friendly, helpful and a joy to interact with. Overall, Sardine was a great evening with a solid meal, good drinks, great service and a uniquely Madison vibe!

    Photos
    Sardine - Lakeview seating

    Lakeview seating

    Sardine - Steak frites

    Steak frites

    Sardine - Oysters on ICE

    See all

    Oysters on ICE

    Heritage Tavern - Heritage Assorted Deviled Eggs

    Heritage Tavern

    4.4(737 reviews)
    0.3 miCapitol
    $$$

    We stopped by for dinner after a pretty draining couple of weeks, and I can't say enough about the…read moreexperience. The food was great, but our server, Lily, was incredible. She had no way of knowing we were feeling worn down, but her warmth and genuine care completely turned our evening around. She made the visit feel special in a way that really stuck with us. Lily is a massive asset to the team, and we're beyond grateful for the hospitality. We'll definitely be back.

    **Food: 2.5/5 | Ambiance: 5/5 | Service: 4/5 | Presentation: 4/5**…read more My partner and I had a pleasant evening overall. The restaurant itself is beautiful, with a warm and upscale atmosphere that makes for a great date night. Service was also very good -- our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and helped us navigate both the menu and wine selections. The meal started strong. The beet salad was fresh and well-balanced, and the gnochetti with clams was easily the standout dish of the night. The broth was rich and flavorful, and the bread paired perfectly with it. It leaned a little salty, but not enough to take away from the dish. Unfortunately, the main course was where things fell apart for us. The flavors were overwhelmed by salt, making it difficult to appreciate the other components of the dish. Instead of feeling balanced, it seemed like several already salty ingredients were layered together, resulting in a dish that tasted far more seasoned than intended. Presentation throughout the meal was attractive and thoughtfully executed, which made the disappointment with the main course even more noticeable. Given the restaurant's reputation, we were expecting a more refined and balanced execution. That said, there were enough positives -- particularly the atmosphere, service, and some of the smaller plates -- that we'd be willing to give it another try and explore other parts of the menu in the future.

    Photos
    Heritage Tavern - Inside tables

    Inside tables

    Heritage Tavern - Peppercorn steak

    Peppercorn steak

    Heritage Tavern - 131 bourbon street and rhubarb gimmie

    See all

    131 bourbon street and rhubarb gimmie

    Corral Room Bar

    Corral Room Bar

    4.0(2 reviews)
    0.3 miCapitol
    $$

    The Corral Room is perhaps downtown Madison's best kept secret. It's cocktail lounge beneath the…read moreTornado Room that only opens after 9pm. The menu is mostly small plates and drinks. The lighting is intimate and the decor relies heavily on dark corners and draped curtains. The place simply oozes atmosphere and looks like something straight out of a David Lynch movie. It's hard to categorize the Corral Room Bar. It straddles the line of both divy and classy. Both seedy and romantic. If you're on a date and you REALLY want to impress someone, take them to the Corral Room. P.S. I'm pretty sure this is the only place in madison where you can order escargot.

    This is no Tornado room...but, it's kitchy and if you're in absolutely no hurry and in the mood to…read morefight for a table and have a small party, what the hell. Give it a try. We ordered the French onion soup, cheese curds (not available on the upstairs menu), scallop appetizer, steak sandwich and the pineapple upside down cake (also not listed on the late night menu but on the upstairs Tornado room menu). Pros: We could get quality cheese curds that weren't normally an option here! They had many of the fav's from the upstairs menu available as a late night late night option. The dessert was amazing, as always! Con: The steak sandwich had been rumored to be a showstopper but ours was thin pieces of tough, chewy steak. Nothing close to what I'd have ever guessed possible for this usually elite steak house on even its worst day. Major disappointment.

    Photos
    Corral Room Bar - Pineapple upside down cake

    Pineapple upside down cake

    Corral Room Bar - Steak sandwich w/ au jus

    Steak sandwich w/ au jus

    Corral Room Bar - Scallops

    See all

    Scallops

    Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse - 16oz 16 oz Ribeye and famous garlic mashed potatoes!!

    Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse

    3.8(253 reviews)
    0.1 miCapitol
    $$$

    Celebrated Mothers Day at Johnny Delmonico's and from start to finish things were an A+. Our…read moreserver Ashton was friendly, knowledgeable of the menu and made great recommendations. He was a consummate professional and was always available without hovering. We started our meal with a couple cocktails, and I have to say the Pear Martini was delish! The guests in my party were equally happy with the Bees Knees and the Gimlet. Very nice drink menu, lots of choices for everyone and all drinks were well made. Food wise, we started with a couple appetizers. The Oysters on Half Shell, the Stuffed Mushroom Caps and the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. We also tried the French Onion Soup. Not a complaint to be heard, and we practically licked the plates clean if that gives you an idea of how tasty everything was. Entrees included the Salmon, the Seared Scallops, The Waygu Burger and the Manhattan Surf and Turf with the addition of Marrow Butter. Absolute perfection... each and every one. I would not hesitate to recommend you give it a try, you will NOT be disappointed! Thanks for making my Mothers Day so incredibly special.

    A fancier downtown restaurant with coat check and lots of comfortable seating…read more Great steaks, cooked to near perfection. Comes with a starch side. Okay cocktails and large selection of liquors and wines (on the pricey side). Good service. It was a Thursday night and wasn't busy. Server was a bit slow but steaks came out fast after our order was placed.

    Photos
    Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse - Entrance

    Entrance

    Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse - Creme Brulee

    Creme Brulee

    Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse - Ahi tuna

    See all

    Ahi tuna

    Settle Down Tavern - Fried pickles

    Settle Down Tavern

    4.4(177 reviews)
    0.1 miCapitol
    $$

    PROS: -Unique/good cheese curds…read more-Unique cocktails that don't disappoint -I loved the Good Idea Smashburger -Molly, our server was GREAT! (other staff was equally friendly) -I enjoyed the overall vibe Music playlist was really good as well,...to the point where I tried to Soundhound /Shazam two or three songs, but due to the acoustics, it proved difficult - all in all still appreciated. They have a good special every day of the week, all of which look enticing. -This was my first time here, but I will be back! -History Lesson: building was once oldest hotel in Madison (1841?) CONS: -The TP in the restroom could improve -Coat hooks somewhere would be nice (in the winter, in a booth, coats take up space)

    I came here on my last day in Madison to experience a Friday fish fry, and I was not disappointed!!…read moreThe fish was super crispy and the fries were really good as well. I liked all the different dipping sauces and the slaw they served with it had a nice unique flavor. We also shared the chocolate chip cookie, which was huge and served warm. It was loaded with chocolate chips and had some flaky sea salt on top. I think this had to be one of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had! All of our servers were super kind and helpful, and the food came out pretty quickly. The ambiance is really nice, we ate in the patio area and it was super cute with nice natural lighting.

    Photos
    Settle Down Tavern - Bar area

    Bar area

    Settle Down Tavern - Cheese puppies

    Cheese puppies

    Settle Down Tavern

    See all

    Osteria Papavero - italian - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...