Usually one of my favorite places but today, even when they knew it was a special occasion, the parking and service was poor! The food was good but not great. Disappointing! I hope they just had a bad service. read more

I don't even like seafood but this fish themed bar was a blast! We saw the good reviews and decided 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. read more

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Food: 4/5 it was ok, I had the Steak Frite which was just steak and fries. It was cooked really to my temperature, but nothing special. Service: 5/5 good. Ambiance: good crowd, and it's by the lake. Would be nice to eat outside, but the lake smells slightly weird. read more

Sardine - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Just had one of the best dishes I have ever had. It was a special, so not sure how long it will be available. Grilled swordfish steak over cannellini beans with hazelnuts and heirloom tomatoes. Topped with wood fired grilled peaches, capers bean sprouts and probably a few other things. An absolutely perfect balance of umami, citrus, slightly sweet and smoky peaches. Paired with a really cold, crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Wowza! The photo doesn't capture how amazing this was. read more

Sardine - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Their food and drinks are all wonderful and the environment is active and fun. Our waiter did an excellent job and we will reopen again the next time we're in Madison. Thank you Sardine! read more

Four of us had brunch here on a Saturday morning. The menu had a good variety of sweet and savory options. There was a robust cocktail and drink menu. One person in our party ordered a bloody mary, which was quite flavorful and not overly salty. For main courses the table had a croque monsieur (came with a side of frites); savory parmesan oatmeal with spinach and mushrooms and an egg; crab cakes and eggs; and the special of the day which was croquette with mackerel. We all sampled each other's dishes and agreed that every single one was a hit. The frites were crispy and salty and delicious. The savory oatmeal tasted a lot like risotto -- creamy and cheesy. The croque was well prepared and not too heavy on the bechamel. Portion sizes were good and most of us took leftovers home. I have always found this restaurant a bit on the chilly side and when we walked in today the ceiling fans were on high (to the point of being windy indoors), but the wait staff was very accommodating in turning them down just a notch. Our server was appropriately attentive, helpful, and friendly. The restaurant itself is very nice on the inside with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and views of the lake. The only thing I didn't love was having to secure my reservation with a credit card and their policy of charging $25 for each person fewer than our original reservation. I understand that restaurants must cope with the loss of revenue when there are different tables they could've assigned to smaller-than -expected parties, or when there are no-shows. I've always been conscientious about adjusting reservations in advance if needed, so the policy just felt a bit heavy-handed. But, I guess this is a result of others who are less considerate. Overall, would highly recommend for brunch. read more

Sardine - Savory Parmesan oatmeal with mushrooms and spinach. - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Located in the Machinery Row Building at the large intersection of Williamson Street and John Nolen Drive, 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! read more

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This is probably the or one of the best restaurants I have been to in Wisconsin. The ambiance is reminiscent of an upscale cozy New York restaurants. The service was good, nothing special. This is a great date or group spot. We started off with the salmon and cucumber plate; this was so unique and I really enjoyed it. A slight homage to a lox bagel but in an upscale way, the cucumbers were slightly picked and the smoked salmon was great quality. We also had the seasonal tomato and burrata salad; this was delicious and the tomatoes were so fresh, if in season I would definitely recommend. We also got oysters; they were small and easy to eat just how I like. All great apps. We then shared the moules frites. I love mussels and these were done pretty well. Everything was either on par with previous experiences or slightly above for this style of french/american cuisine. I really liked it here and would go back and tell people to go! read more

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Food is superb here. The only downside is that they get slammed. Finding a spot at the bar is a battle. Prices are steep but they have quality food you can't get in most places in Madison. read more

Arrived at 730pm and it was super crowded. It was very busy and noisy, but a good sign for popularity, considering it was a Tuesday night. The food was really good. The oysters and my fish dish were both outstanding. My cocktail was solid. Next time I will come a little bit later to avoid the big crowd. But all in all, great food, beautiful lake view, and would definitely go back. read more

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This was the first place I've ever tried moules frites, and it is still the entree that I get whenever I'm here. The fries are cooked well, the white wine sauce is heavenly, and the mussels always taste fresh. The grilled lamb merguez was really tasty, but it was not filling, which was a little disappointing. The restaurant was extremely packed, so it felt like our waiter took a little longer to get to us. He did take care of us when we needed, such as when we asked for tobasco for the oysters. Lots of seating in the restaurant, but be sure to have a reservation or be willing to wait. Don't forget to grab a free matchbook on your way out! read more

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I visited Sardine Sunday evening. It was a beautiful day so the outdoor patio was not available for walk ins. We were able to get seats at the bar, which was beautiful, so we weren't too sad about not being able to sit outside. We weren't sure what to drink and the bartenders were very kind, knowledgeable, and helpful in guiding us towards our drinks which we enjoyed very much! We ordered the bread and butter basket which was worth the $5, there was flaky salt on the butter which was a nice touch. For my entree I ordered the seared salmon and it was cooked well and complimented with lentils, tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. I will be back soon and perhaps with a reservation so I can get a seat outside! read more

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Went for a birthday bunch. It was such a cute place. I tried the Bloody Mary, charcuterie board and baked creamed egg. My favorite was def the baked creamed egg - dipping the toast in there was so good. Cheesy, creamy & full of flavor! read more

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I came here for brunch with two friends. First, the location is great, right on the lake. We had reservations for a Saturday morning, which I highly recommend. The place is bustling and bright. I saw large groups and small groups - it looks like a popular spot for brunch. Good service - we were taken care of. We each ended up ordering omelets which were filling and delicious. Each comes with a salad and frites. The frites were thin and crispy and delicious, delicate fresh greens, and the omelet prepared perfectly. Excellent menu - so much to try and I'd definitely come again. read more

Sardine - Omelet, frites, and salad - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I went here again after a many year absence about two weeks ago. I had a house red on happy hour cuz wine doesn't impress me. After the second one? Who cares! I got oysters . Hard to out down oysters . On the half. I got an assortment of. They were good to great. Hard to know exactly cuz my waitress while sweet wasn't knowledgeable about them. That's a pity. I got steak frite for dinner. It wax okay. The fries were a soggy disappointment to be honest. I didn't eat them. If I'm going to down carbs , they better be off the charts. I enjoyed but could have been better. Next I'll go back to Tempest and just down the oysters read more

Absolutely had an excellent time at this cozy bistro! The food was wonderfully crafted and tasty! My favorites were the cheese plate and their duck pate. Everything was fresh and expertly prepared! The drinks were on the strong side, but not unbalanced. Sharing plates were generous as were portions on the entrees. Every bite and drink was delicious! Their menu would definitely be vegetarian or vegan friendly. One of the items we had was a vegan squash shared plate that was great! The decor was bright and inviting. The decor made for an intimate bistro experience. The display of their fresh oysters was also impressive. The location is perfectly placed on the lake. We were there for dinner in the evening, but imagine when the weather is good dining outside is really pretty. The service was great as well! The staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and attentive. They were happy to answer any questions we had and make recommendations. read more

Excellent food. Great service. They helped me to celebrate a special occasion. That was very much appreciated.

Dine at Sardine! There is no need to go to Marseille for bouillabaisse! On y mange bien! The meals are magnifique at Sardine and staff led by Joshua is top notch! For French haute cuisine visit La Sardine! A memorable experience! Monsieur Norman read more

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This place is super cute and has plenty of space for a crowd or a romantic date. It's got plenty of parking right along the water too. Food was spectacular and the service was on point. Loved the salad, octopus, and oysters to start. Dessert was tasty as all get out and loved the pink squirrel drink. read more

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Brunch was amazing, great options, clean environment, kind staff, and classy set up overall. ordered: bacon, tomato, goat cheese, spinach omelette blueberry scone read more

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Food here is always below average. Seems like they're trying to be too different. Drinks are always below average along with the very small menu. I would not recommend read more

The best place for brunch in Madison. Depending on where you sit, you can have a gorgeous view of the lake. It's a very open space with plenty of room for groups, large or small. They have a variety of choices. The kids menu is small, but mighty. The special they had was a salmon tartine and it was phenomenal. Their desserts are fantastic as well. You can't go wrong with butterscotch pot de crème. Their desert special was a Basque cheesecake with blackberry puree. Their lemon meringue is very special as it has candied lemon rind pieces. It gives it a certain something. Our server Zeke, was very attentive and friendly. Something for everyone here. read more

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Excellent! Lighting a tinge too bright. We lingered at our $$$ table, and all of a sudden we were abruptly kicked out by our server. We paid and tipped and got booted out. We were prolonged at our table but... You'd think if celebrities were dining and possibly revi read more

4.5 stars Excellent service, nice ambiance Bread was ok MUSSELS WERE AMAZING, FRIES TO DIE FOR -- had to see a million photos of this on yelp to order it, was not recommended by the waitress Menu can be clearer: ordered the beet salmon small plate not knowing it would be raw (may be my fault but this was not evident after reading the menu or talking to the waitress about this dish) Nice dessert :) read more

We sat right by the water and the view was amazing. The steak was perfectly cooked and had a flavorful herb butter on top. The fries were crispy and salted perfectly. The espresso martini was 10/10. read more

Sardine - Steak Frites, Espresso Martini - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Sardine is one of my favorite spots in Madison for brunch or dinner. I will never get tired of their building and view on Lake Monona. I always get the same thing: the house burger or croque madame. But, sometimes they have specials which are always amazing!! This time it was a poached salmon sort of dish on toast. I also tried their coffee, which I had not tried before, and it was so good. Better than most coffee shops. They have limited flavors but the espresso was perfect - I don't think more flavors were needed. Service was organized and efficient. Parking can get tight on weekend nights or mornings, but there is street parking a block over towards Williamson street (by the Elks Lodge) read more

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In my opinion, the restaurant venue adds to the dining experience at Sardine. It's located right on Lake Monona and we were able to snag lake side seats for dinner and watch the sunset. We tried the goat cheese starter along with an order of their frites and aoli. The fries were the perfect crunchiness. Our bread that came with the goat cheese was very hard which wasn't my personal preference. The goat cheese itself, though, was warm and creamy. I can't rave enough over the potato gnocchi that I ordered. It was the star of dinner. We also ordered the Flute special and unfortunately we're not fully satisfied. The breading was off and gave the outside a more chewy/rubbery consistency. However, the inside was quite flakey. Overall, for the price point we were a bit disappointed in that dish. Our server was kind and accommodating. Overall, we will be returning to try out some of the other menu options and soak in the ambiance. read more

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Incredible. Every dish was amazing. Two of us had the trout, another the chicken and another the mussels. Not a bad dish. I would come here every night read more

SERVICE was great, very efficient and server was very knowledgeable of each entree. Recommendations were spot on and the FOOD was prepared as expected & delicious. Ambiance was okay-- very noisy and a tight squeeze (seating is not desirable) but most people didn't seem to care. Make sure to request a window seat! Rating is a 4.5. read more

Salmon was incredible. Service was lacking. We sat outside. Our waiter took 10 minutes to greet us and another 20 before asking for food. It was a busy Thursday, so those things can be overlooked. It turned sour when there was overall terrible communication and we were not checked in on. Very inattentive. We split our bill and when I asked if the oysters were all the same price, our waiter rudely stated "well that's how oysters work" and walked away. It took 3 times to receive our correct bills, which was met with annoyance and blame on us. We felt he should have just clarified our orders before walking away, instead of wasting his own time running back and forth. I am not a person to leave a review but we were so displeased, I had to say something. read more

This was my second time here and it was better than the first! I love the vibes of sardine, it's very chic and the service is always attentive. Our appetizers were amazing. We had the warm goat cheese and the beets, and would highly recommend both. I had the moules frites which I had been dying to try since the last time I came they had sold out. They were definitely worth the wait- the broth was outstanding and you can SO much food. My boyfriend had the duck and wished it was more tender, but he enjoyed the flavors. We had the banana bread pudding for dessert which was SO yummy. read more

Sardine - Warm goat cheese, beet salad - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Food and service were 5 stars. I was only disappointed with my reservation because when I made it on open table I was asked if we preferred patio or front/window seating, but when we arrived we were told by the host that we would have to wait 30-45 minutes for our preferred seating location. We were happy to be seated immediately in the back, but I don't think it makes much sense to ask for our seating preference only to tell us when we arrive that we have to wait that long for that preference. In addition to the great food and service, part of this restaurants charm is its location, and I don't think that they should promise certain seats if they don't honor it. TLDR: what good is a reservation fora specific table/area of a restaurant if they don't honor it? read more

I dream of their croque madame. The herb and gruyere omelette is the best egg dish I've ever had, and I generally think omelettes are boring. The view by the front windows is gorgeous and their cold brew coffee is the smoothest I've ever tasted. Staff is professional as can be. Can't wait to go back for a third time, and I don't even live in Wisconsin! read more

Sardine - The croque madame, mid-enjoyment. She's a beaut, Clark. - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Started with oysters good & fresh. We ordered the Pan Raosted Skate Wing which was really good, Warm Duck Confit and Freisse also very good, and lastly we ordered the Wood Roasted Airline Chicken Breast which was very very dry & should not have been served. Our waitress was very nice venue is cute but very small space cramped seating. read more

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Have you ever had food so good you find yourself thinking about it a week later? This was the case for me with brunch at Sardine. I took a chance and tried the Savory Steel-Cut Oats, and they were so amazingly wonderful that I fantasize about moving to Madison so that I could have brunch at Sardine more often than once in a blue moon. My dining companion enjoyed their Brioche French Toast, which I sampled. High marks for the local fruit compote, which sets their French toast apart from excellent French toast at other establishments. Our server was terrific, and the restaurant is simply beautiful. We had a table next to the lakeside windows, and couldn't have enjoyed the meal more. It looks like there is outdoor lakeside seating too, although we were there in February and they sensibly don't serve outside during the Wisconsin winter. The pastries looked fabulous, as did their oysters, but our entrees were so filling that we couldn't even think about trying one of either. That said, the restaurant comped my dining companion a butterscotch pot de creme in celebration of her birthday. It was divine! Intense butterscotch flavor, with chantilly cream to balance it out. Thanks, Sardine! You're worth driving from out of state to enjoy! read more

Sardine - Brioche French Toast with local fruit compote, crème fraiche, and maple syrup. - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Dropped in last Saturday for a drink and dessert after the Symphony. The bartender was well versed and gave great recommendations. read more

Sardine - Sidecar at Sardine. - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Everything we ordered was ICE COLD with the exception of the French Onion soup!!! The food is delicious but ours was just cold - so disappointed read more

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Visited Sardine for Sunday dinner to celebrate a special occasion a few weeks ago. We made reservations in advance and upon entrance, was greeted by nice staff and the ambiance was really clean and neat. We ordered cocktails to start. Wasn't a huge fan of mine and our kind waiter ended up removing it from our check (so nice!). For appetizers we tried the tomato bisque and duck salad. Both were super tasty. The bisque was full of flavor and the duck salad was one of my favorite bites. Our entrees were striped bass and a ribeye steak. My steak was medium rare (the perfect cook!) and the striped bass was nice and crispy. Overall, had a great time, would recommend. read more

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It is a truly lovely place with wonderful staff, and an unbeatable ambiance. Sadly, after several visits, I find the food underwhelming. As two examples, my son and I recently went in prior to heading out for a show. I had the duck confit salad and he had grilled octopus. Both were quite bland. The duck was virtually flavorless and was offered as a meager portion of little strips dotted throughout the salad. Properly made, a confit should be really flavorful, and one of its prizes is a crispy skin. Both completely absent here and the salad itself was lacking. The octopus was similarly bland and its cooking was sub-par. I really want the place to thrive. Food really needs to improve. read more

I wanted to treat my mom to a special brunch, plus I've been wanting to check out Sardine for awhile now. We had a wonderful experience from the space, the food and service. I also appreciated that they did not seat tables on top of each other and spaced the tables out. Sorry that is just a pet peeve of mine when you go out for a nice dining experience and the table next to you is less than a foot away and you can hear everything they are saying. Make sure you start brunch with some of their assorted pastries! read more

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