We have tried Otto's for the fourth or fifth time. Before it was for special occasions--our anniversary and my husband's birthday and for a holiday. Recently we also had apps and cocktails in the bar. We have never been disappointed; in fact, the dinners and the snacks and drinks were delicious and the service is friendly--actually all of the servers are just lovely. Once I was able to try the tasting menu which was great. Other times, we tried the grilled salmon and sea bass. Both were amazing. More recently, my husband and I met friends in the bar for happy hour. Before 6:30 during the week, half of the appetizers on the menu are half price. We tried the Mediterranean Platter, Wisconsin Cheese Course, and Bruschetta. All were fresh. The eggplant salad was almost like a tapenade, and it was hands-down one of the best things we ate--and neither of us are wild for eggplant. While the restaurant is one of our favorite places for special dinners, the bar is our new favorite place for everyday drinks and appetizers. read more

Second time we have been here and excellent both times. Went for graduation celebration first time. Excellent wines. Tonight out party of three had steak and seafood both of which were excellent. The chocolate cake for desert was awesome read more

Excellent meal. The cocktails were just right, followed by a great meal. My wife had the sea bass while I had a seafood mixed grill. We did not have room for desert! Our waitress was attentive and helpful. I would not hesitate to come back. read more

My, oh my, this place definitely deserves a perfect 5! Atmosphere was comfortable, service was absolutely impeccible, and the food - ohhh, the food. For starters, I enjoyed stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta. Cursed as I am with an allergy to shellfish, I wasn't able to try the crab cakes, oysters and shrimp that everyone else at my table raved about. My entree, salmon wrapped in grape leaves, was wonderful. And desserts were just as amazing. I shared the turtle cheesecake, but also sampled a molten chocolate cake that was divine. To round out our meal, Otto's wine list also had a number of good offerings. Also, if you judge a restaurant by the quality of their after dinner mints, Otto's are the best! You can't go wrong dining here. read more

Coming from LA, my standards are extremely high and this seems to be one of Madison's best kept secrets...with a great happy hour that seems to go utterly unadvertised. WTH, why didn't you guys tell me about this place sooner? We had a few appetizers in the bar and ended up staying for dinner. Probably the best seafood in Madison. The grilled salmon wrapped in grape leaves was the group favorite, but everyone loved the steak, too. Also, the muscles appetizer was phenomenal. Mediterranean platter was great, but a lot more food than we had expected...might have ordered too much. Not that that stopped us from getting a strawberry Napoleon, which rivaled any dessert in town. One of the people who went with us has a few very severe food allergies and the chef was extremely accommodating. He even came out to our table to speak with her personally about what she could and could not eat, explaining that he had a lot of experience cooking for people with particular restrictions and that he makes everything fresh so there's no hidden gluten or other ingredients that might be a problem. The wine selection was great and they have multiple high-end varieties by the glass. The bar can get a little crowded, but it seemed to clear out pretty quickly after 7-ish. I am so happy to have found something like this on the West Side so I don't need to truck all the way down to Willie St or The Square every time I want a great meal. read more

Five stars across the board. Awesome food , service, and environment. The taste of the food was perfect and loved eating in an older style house. Will recommend to everyone. read more

What can I say? After returning to Madison after a ten year absence...even more since I had been to Ottos, my sister and her husband wanted to go there for their 23 wedding anniversary. Ok. Reservations were made. We stopped by the bar for a cocktail pre dinner. Good vibe. Great drinks. Up we go to the main dinning room. Because it is in a house there are different levels. The first table was one of the worse ones in the space. I politely asked for a different one. No problem. There are steaks, pasta and some seafood choices. The place is billed as a Mediterranean, but I don't see that distinction...oh they have penne pasta and basil vinegaret. Anyway I have what was suppose to be Scottish salmon wrapped in grape leaves with some balsamic vinegar reduction. The salmon was hammered and the sauce grainy and an off putting color. I scrapped it off. If that was Scottish salmon welll... Steaks were cooked to temperature and the scallops were a wee bit over but tastey. Service excellent, attentive without being intrusive. Bread and soup or salad are included. All in all it was a nice but average experience. read more

We have been back here several times since my review 4 years ago. I bring my sister when we come up for the Madison Art on the Square and I come when I am in town on business. My complaint is it has been found by groups when I am dining alone during the conferences I attend. You sometimes get forgotten or the worse seat in the house. Guess I would appreciate a little attention for being loyal even when I dine alone. That being said the food never disappoints. Excellent from start to finish read more

Excellent meal tonight with great food and service. The mixed grill is deliciouus, especially the perfectly seasoned and juicy lamb chops. The kofte was slightly greasy but very nicely seasoned. The chicken was good but not outstanding. But the lamb! Next time I'm just getting the lamb chops. They were so amazing. The parmesan truffle fries were light and crispy and the side portion was huge. Same for the crispy onion strings. The cracked wheat pilaf was flavorful without any trace of greasiness, which is a common problem in many varieties. Entree portions are pretty small but the service was very fast although I did need to remind them to bring my tea twice. Beer selection is decent. I selected to have a 3-cheese plate for dessert. The mild brick was definitely my favorite, with a creamy, sweet flavor. The crackers were the perfect complement. A great option for a weekend dinner. read more

Pretty damn good. Had the ribeye and appetizer sampler - everything was great. I'm from out of town but will eat here again if I come back through Madison. read more

Amazing happy hour. The New Zealand mussels were in a to die for white cream sauce and they were really big and had calamari which was good. We only had appetizers but entrees look good.. Not a lot of beers on tap but the ones they had were craft beers and were decent choices. Had a Edmund Fitzgerald on tap from Great Lakes Brewing company it was phenomenal! read more

Had a great experience here. Sat at the bar and service was great and the sampler platter was amazing! Then we had a nice couples meal at a table. Great experience overall. Will definitely go back again. read more

Very good food - and reliably good. Very nice staff and cozy atmosphere. Check out their happy hour when they serve hors d'ouevres 1/2 off. read more

I made a reservation here for a graduation dinner with my parents. Before dining, I was disappointed this was the only place I could find that still had openings and wished I had found something closer to campus. However, I ultimately was thrilled with my decision. So thrilled that I decided to write my first yelp review. The restaurant was quaint but still appropriately formal for a celebratory college graduation dinner. The food was great and the staff was friendly. Great find. read more

Took my foodie parents here. We all were sooo impressed. Great drinks from the bar, and delicious fresh food.

Their standards are so high! If you are looking for a good date night spot, this is it! The duck is amazing, steak is cooked to perfection, can't go wrong with anything. Nice wine list. The ambiance is romantic. Fairly priced. YUM! read more

Wow! I had always wanted to try Otto's and it did not disappoint. I went here on a date night with my sugar and we both loved every morsel. Salmon, scallops, and crab cakes oh my!! read more

My husband and I had drinks/dinner at Otto's to celebrate my recent birthday. After reading the Yelp reviews and hearing verbal reviews from others I must admit I left there a bit disappointed. Our drinks, appetizer and meals were very delicious - a bit overpriced, but everything was quick and tasty. However, the service was kind of cold. This was our first time at Otto's and we both felt that because we weren't regulars we were kind of ignored. read more

A fellow trainee found Ottos using open table and invited the rest of us to join for dinner. I loved the structure - an older house with a bar at the bottom and tables on the upper levels. The menus had typical Wisconsin cuisine (steaks, potatoes, cheese ). I opted for the New Zealand Lamb Chops which were delicious! Overall I had a nice dining experience and they waitress and bartender were very nice. read more

We finally gave this restaurant another shot and I am so glad that we did. We came here with another couple on a Saturday night. (Highly recommend having reservations-which we did). We were greatly warmly and quickly seated. We started with the grilled prosciutto wrapped shrimp (which was absolutely fabulous). Then two of us had the tomato bisque soup (which is so good, that it is guaranteed to create happy food dreams for weeks to come) and the other two ordered the Caesar salad and were very impressed at its flavor. We all ordered different entrees. One the lamb, one the grilled scallops, the special of the white fish, and the stuffed chicken. Everyone loved their entrees so much that there was no opportunity to share. Dessert was the chocolate mousse, strawberry Napoleon, and the pistachio gelato. All were very much enjoyed. Absolutely fabulous meal!!! We will be back. read more

My husband I went here for a nice dinner and looking for a little atmosphere with our night out. We found exactly that with Otto's. The martini at the bar was served very chilled, they have a decent wine list, although not the best I've ever seen. The entrees were delicious and presented beautifully. The only critique I can offer is that the wait staff was a bit cool in reception and serving us at our meal. The charm of the old farm house was warm, delightful and gave us a feeling of old world charm coupled with fine dining. Will definitely go back. read more

Great bar and drinks. They know how to make a decent martini. Duck, salmon, and Mediterranean platter were all excellent. This is a little, off-track place that seems to do everything well. read more

Even though we were sadly disappointed that we could not sit outside on the patio, the food was excellent! The scallops were perfection, and my co-worker loved the Chilean Sea Bass as well. Really wish we could gave experienced the patio atmosphere...there was live music and we wished we could have experienced it. read more

Celebrated my birthday last night with my family at Ottos. It was my first time eating dinner there and we had a lovely meal. I had the sea bass and it was fantastic. Both my husband and father in law had the lamb, wow, it was delicious. My mother in law had the ribeye and she said she really liked it as well. My only small complaint was that the salad was overly dressed, but the dressing was great, I had the lemon vinaigrette. I liked the wine list as well and it was very affordable. Our service was spot on as well. I will definitely go back. read more

Go for Happy Hour! The appetizers are fantastic, especially the crab cakes! Entrees are mediocre, as are the desserts. But, I will always go back for apps! read more

There is no doubt that Otto's is a great, classic, establishment. I have met a number of outstanding, classy, sophisticated, women in the lower level bar. Bartenders are absolutely excellent. The bar menu is outstanding & features quality items (not your routine "Bar Food"). Upstairs, where the true spirit of Otto's really shines. By far, the finest dining experience on the West side of Madison. Quite often I drive by and don't stop, simply because I'm "under-dressed" (Blue Jeans). Honestly, take a date for drinks and Appetizers in the lower level. If the date is going well...take her upstairs to demonstrate your level of sophistication. read more

Dinner at Otto's was superb as always. Food was great. Service was wonderful. Can't say enough good things about this restaurant. It's been a favorite of ours for many years. read more

Stop by three times during business trip this past February. Ordered a buttery sea bass, which was the best I've ever had anywhere. Other folks with me ordered from the tasting menu. I tasted some and they were excellent and reasonably priced at $35. This includes a refreshing and colorful beet salad, entree (lamb/pork), delightful espresso flavored flan dessert, and flight of wine for paring for each course at additional $10. The options change each week, but choices were all great. The cheese plate was also good to share. We had a large group with approximately 10 people during two of my visits. The staff were attentive and friendly. If I return to Wisconsin, this will be a must stop for dinner. read more

The food is good. Service is ok. However beware if you need handicap parking. The parking place in fron requires you to climb a flight of stairs. Otherwise you have to walk up a hill and around to the back of the building to access a ramp. Absolutely unacceptable especially when there is adequate space near the ramp to have handicap parking and a sign could direct people to it. Probably 95%+ of people who need handicap parking can not do stairs, hills and walk a long distance. I certainly would not recommend this restaurant until it is truly accessible. read more

Otto's is my favorite neighborhood places to enjoy a lovely meal. The food and service are consistently excellent. The drinks are the best in town. In summer, it's wonderful to sit on the patio. In winter, the ambiance is warm and cozy. The sea bass, seafood trio, and Mediterranean platter, are my favorites. I love that they serve warm, delicious bread and that entrees come with tasty soup or salad. I highly recommend Otto's for people who love great quality, delicious food. read more

I haven't been in Otto's for dinner in a while. I'm often in there for drinks with friends. It's a great place for a quiet drink, and if you're there on the weekend Rob & Kim will take good care of you. I enjoy their James Bond vodka martinis, but only in moderation. read more

We miss the prior proprietor who ran a wonderful restaurant with outstanding food, great ambience, and reasonable prices. The quality of the food is the same, the ambience remains, but the prices have jumped 20 per cent. Still a great choice for good dining. read more

Absolutely terrific!! I have only had the pleasure to eat here a few times but it is probably the best food I have had since the old Kickshaws on PD closed. The food is fresh and unpretentious and was served by a waitress who was attentive yet unobtrusive. Great place if you have a few extra dollars to spend. Recommend: Start with the wrapped shrimp Ceasar Salad Lamb chops or Filet and finish with ANY flavor sorbet Seafood was great also read more

Otto's ambiance is always inviting. We had a nice table on the second floor. Our waiter was very friendly and professional. The only misstep was the half hour between salad and entrée, not his fault of course. We started with the exquisite cheese course, ordering all five cheeses. The bleu was to die for, creamy, salty with the right amount of sharpness you expect from a bleu. We felt the course was a bit overpriced. The salads were nothing special. I had the salmon special and my wife had the stuffed chicken. Our friends both ordered steak. Our meals were wonderful, everything cooked as we asked. Our only complaint is that everything seemed to be overpriced by about $5. read more

We thought our food and service was out standing!! ( There is room for improvement on the house salad ) but, everything else was excellent!

This is a special Madison gem and I highly recommend trying it out. Start with a martini if you can in the bar... Quite tasty. But if you go... You must have the lamb chops. I haven't had them anyplace better. They are amazing! Good service and a nice comfy atmosphere. You will not go wrong with this Madison classic. read more

So disappointed. Loved and went to otto's for years. Walked in tonight. Bartenders didn't acknowledge us as we stood there for 10 minutes nor after asking if we could sit at a table. Didn't ask us if they could get us a drink as we waited. Who reserves tables in the bar? read more

A very charming little place hidden away behind the trees on Mineral point. At first impression, I didn't think it would be comfortable, as the tables are quite squished into the old house, now serving as a restaurant. The size became less of an issue as I glanced over the menu to discover all the mouth watering choices. I chose the Chef's Choice 3 course meal with wine tasting. I started with a bloody mary, which was probably the worst one I've had in Madison. I don't recommend at all unless you prefer little to no spice. After attempting to spice it up myself with pepper, I sent it back. Not to worry though, because they brought me a very tasty dirty martini. The food was amazing, but the waitress forgot to bring my wine with the first course. She made up for it by bringing a very nice shiraz with my steak, on the house. My dinner party was very much satisfied with the food. The waitress, although forgetful, was polite and apologetic. I definitely plan to return. read more

I love here!Foods are amazing and people are nice.My favorite dessert is Fresh Strawberry Napoleon.Grilled ribeye and Grilled Salmon in Grape Leafs are excellent.My husband loves the lamb chop very much. read more

Bartenders are great in this quaint former farmhouse for the first floor bar. The owner takes pride in all he does and is very attentive to details and the service is great! Did I mention, you are a regular when your picture is on the wall... Just sayin! read more