What a stupendous place! Be sure to make a reservation or you will be waiting a while!! We were in town for the weekend, and the lady half says she wants some "real good Italian food". We followed a recommendation from a friend and made a reservation for here. She was not disappointed. The wine list if truly phenomenal, and worthy of some of the best New York restaurants. The atmosphere is relatively quiet given its size, and the tables are close together but not too close. The food was amazing. Our appetizer was roasted sourbread with a "ball" of a Ricotta/Mozza spreadable mix topped with truffle oil and fresh basil (YUMM). Then for our meal, I had the fish of the day (Breaded halibut in a delicious sweet cream sauce) and grilled cauliflower. She had the Pesto Ravioli with Chicken. Both were stupendously rich in flavor and perfectly portioned. The absolute icing on the cake was our server. Her name escapes me (yes, I am ashamed), but she was an intelligent, knowledgeable, helpful, beautiful inside and out, spritely blonde-ponytailed young woman that really made the whole experience memorable. We even participated in playing a lighthearted joke on the manager that evening, which made us truly feel part of "a family". If anyone runs into her, definitely take a moment and thank her for being an awesome person! If you are in MKE, and want amazing Italian food, come here!!!! read more

Two words. GAMBERI. PANCETTA. Hands down best shrimp I've ever had in my life. Is it pricey though? Yeah. And that's the main reason I rate this place 4/5 instead of 5/5. I ordered the pasta al amatriciana and pasta al pomodoro. The pomodoro was a tad bland but once I put salt and pepper on it it was really good. The pasta noodles itself were amazing, perfectly al dente. Amazing place for Italian food it just didn't seem to be worth the bang for my buck ‍ other than that, the ambiance was very nice and it was a very cute place. Service was also great! I will have to sale calderone club remains my top Italian place in Milwaukee so far! read more

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Had a great experience here before the Bucks game. Everyone in the group loved there dishes and the plates were the perfect size. The "calamari" isn't your traditional calamari but it is excellent. It's more like a stuffed octopus head? Outstanding all around and will definitely be back. read more

Service was fantastic and our server not hesitant to make recommendations, which I love. The place was classy but not pretentious. The wine was amazing, the food was even better, and I'd recommend this place highly! read more

We had a fantastic dinner and evening at Zarletti. Our Server, Maria, was outstanding. She was extremely knowledgable, particularly about the wine list. She was very professional. We will ask for her section next time we dine there. Our meals were delicious. My husband and I split the Caprese Salad. They charged us a splitting fee, which seemed a bit "cheap," but they do have to plate another serving, so I get it. For my entree, I had a pasta with chili flakes and parm. It was really good! My husband had a pasta with mussels, shrimp and something else. He loved it. I would def recommend Zarletti! It was great! read more

foood is great. Very bad experience Valentines reservation. we were rushed and told as the dinner went on...we needed to be out in an hour 15 minutes!!! 5:45 to 7:00 reservation expected?!?? no. we will not come back to our favorite spot. no covid excuses for this one. we were regular customers. done read more

We were able to sit outside and enjoy our dinners- it was fabulous! Ordered the bolognese and it was delicious!

I love love love Zarletti's! It reminds me of a New York restaurant because it's small and intimate and the food is *chefs kiss*. The staff knows what they're talking about when it comes to pasta and wine pairings and you truly can't go wrong. I've gone for celebratory birthdays/events and have always been completely satisfied with their menu. Fresh pasta and great wine, it's truly just the best and I recommend to anyone traveling to MKE looking for a restaurant to try! read more

Good ambiance, great service and friendly server plus the foods OMG so good..we will be back when we're visiting Milwaukee again..

We had a lovely dining experience at Zarletti. Our waiter/bartender/sommelier/foodie Bryan provided excellent recommendations and a delightful commentary on the different wines and ingredients at the establishment. I appreciated the slower pace of the service, so we could savor our food and beverages and converse at leisure. I felt like I was transported back to Italy. I can't wait to return. read more

I can't quit you, homemade raviolis. I recently started working downtown again after a 2.5 year stint in a home office (forever to be known as "the best days of my life") and had lunch at Zarletti with a co worker today. I was prepared - I had my internal monologue set to "no raviolis, no raviolis, only salad, salad is healthy, you need to eat more salad and less raviolis". So I ordered the raviolis, because I have no willpower in the face of handmade pasta pockets filled with delicious things. Today was Italian sausage and Swiss chard with a brown butter sauce. NO RAGRETS. None. There are other things on the menu - sandwiches, salads, other pastas. I'm told those things are very good but I'll probably never know, unless they happen to be out of raviolis. In that case, I'll order something else and it will be seasoned with my tears. Also, service is great especially if you get Curt. I hadn't been in for a few years and he recognized me right away because he's awesome. He was probably thinking "oh shit, there's that girl who never orders anything but raviolis, I hope we have them or she'll lose her mind". TL/DR: raviolis read more

Enzo was the best service ever for me and my partners anniversary. The food we got was amazing from ravioli stuffed to bruschetta to tiramisu !! Also the wine selection is amazing. The red Rosso Tuscano was perfecto ! read more

Zarletti - Italian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I don't understand sim of the low reviews. Ambiance and service were excellent, so was the food. We had the chicken saltimboca and ravioli. The chicken was delicious flavorful and a generous potion. The ravioli was excellent, as were the Old Fashionds. Can't wait to go back. read more

If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Every single person wished us happy anniversary, they gave us a sip of bubbly to celebrate. The food was outstanding, the service couldn't be beat, and the desserts.... The banana semi fredo with macadamia nut brittle and caramel brûlée bananas on top.... That was a whole experience in itself. Highly highly recommend this restaurant for special occasions or a nice dinner out with authentic Italian food (take it from one to know.) read more

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Fine dining at its best in Milwaukee. Best location, because food... best service. If you want to experience Milwaukee at its finest this is this is the place to go. Pretty swanky my Milwaukee standards, call for reservations. You'll love it. Staff very helpful and accommodating. read more

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Pasta Marsala with spicy sausage and walnuts...where do I begin. First I'm not a fan of Marsala but this was a Marsala cream sauce and I had to try it. Changed my opinion of Marsala sauce instantly. It. was. Amazing! Also...the risotto balls absolutely Devine. read more

A small intimate place with amazing food, and excellent service. Zarletti takes Italian to a whole new level. Unbelievably delicious in a graceful atmosphere. read more

We so wanted to love this place... I had bookmarked it all the way from Los Angeles! Hoping to frequent it on monthly travels... But sadly it did not meet or exceed expectations. We ordered an appetizer along with our soups and cocktails. Our appetizer never came, so when dinner was served ( which we were not impressed with at all- neither taste or presentation) we asked the waiter, and he said "oh yeah". But that was it, didn't offer an apology to to get us something else. The place was packed for a weeknight, it looks like they have some regular clientele or perhaps they are banking on patrons of nearby hotels.... Or they are doing something right, but just not for us. read more

Zarletti - Ravioli stuffed with Bison meat?! - Italian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Without a doubt, the Zarletti Burger is the very best burger in Milwaukee! The beef is perfect; flavorful, juicy, perfect char, perfectly done, with caramelized onions and smoked Gouda cheese on a toasted pretzel bun. And the five-star coffee service is beyond compare. Total attention to detail. Absolute perfection! read more

Zarletti is upscale classic Italian cuisine in a small and intimate bistro setting. The tables have white linen table clothes, although they do put white paper on top to keep them clean. The service staff is dressed in white shirts and ties, and our server did an excellent job of being attentive without visiting our table too often. We started with the Crespelle di Granchio, a baked crepe filled with crab, marscarpone, mushrooms and sage butter. It was delicious, but we would have a liked more crab and less mushrooms as they overwhelmed the filling. For dinner I had the Pasta Salsiccia al Marsala, which was delicious. The hot Italian sausage is made locally for Zarletti and was perfect in the Marsala sauce. My partner had the Osso Buco and it was tender, flavorful and delicious as well. The meal was complimented by a nice Chianti and overall was delicious. Dessert was the Tiramisu and it was light and delicious. Overall a very good experience. A very good upscale dining experience and perfect for a special occasion! read more

We were completely ignored by our server and bartender for almost 30 mins before we got up and left. The restaurant was not at capacity. We were asked if we wanted water and said yes. Glasses were put in front of us and sat empty for at least 10 minutes before the bartender came over and filled them. Our drink order was taken but we didn't receive them by the time we abruptly left. The older white couple who came in 5-10 minutes after us were receiving drinks and having their order taken by the same server as us (myself and my non-Caucasian fiancé). We will never go back and would only ask this restaurant to do better. read more

Zarletti's has amazing food, yet having a 5 star restaurant requires that the food and the service are both equally amazing. If you want to be treated like trash by all means go to Zarletti's. I was on a lovely day night with my s/o celebrating an anniversary. We came to eat a lovely meal, enjoy a drink or two and end the night with a tiramisu. This is how our night actually went; We were seated by our waiter, I then proceeded to flip through the menus and ordered a drink I had previously had at the establishment. Our waiter then came back a few minutes later notifying me that the drink could not be made due to the fact they had ran out of the peach purée that went into the drink. This was totally fine with me, however I did ask for a drink recommendation as I wanted something similar to the drink I originally ordered. I specifically said that I prefer a sweet drink and the less it tasted bitter or strong the better. He then points to a martini and encourage me to get it as he had supposedly had it a couple weeks ago. I ordered said drink and then my s/o proceeded to order our appetizer, and main course. When the waiter brought my drink it tasted so terrible I just told the waiter to please take it back because it had no resemblance to anything I said I liked. The bartender who apparently was also the manager that night came out and practically shouted at me saying that alcohol was expensive and I was wasting it...I then proceeded to politely explain what had happened. He then said he would remake the drink but tossed the entire wine glass of what I was drinking into a trash can where the glass obviously broke. It was so embarrassing and dramatic I couldn't believe this was happening! We were flippantly ignored by our waiter for the rest of the night, and were honestly just trying to eat our food and go home when the check comes. If matters couldn't get worse, we always tip in cash and we're about pull out our cash as we had paid the bill with a credit card when the BARTENDER/MANAGER came to tell us off about how we had not wrote in a tip...I was holding my wallet in my lap counting out what 15% of the bill was and couldn't believe the audacity of this individual. I left the tip...which I felt was only the civil thing to do albeit the service was the worst thing I've ever endured. IT GETS WORSE! as my s/o and I are leaving...walking outside already away from the restaurant this lunatic (bar tender/manager) comes out of the restaurant hollering at us telling us to never come back...and that was our anniversary dinner at Zarletti. Would not recommend unless the service has changed. read more

Four of us enjoyed complimentary glasses of Prosecco because two of us were celebrating an anniversary. Nice touch. The extensive menu makes choosing difficult unless you arrive knowing that you crave Osso Bucco. In my case, the mashed potatoes with the Secundi entree were substituted with a smaller portion of another Primi entree. That was a good way to resolve some indecision. The house salad was nicely prepared and our respective choices were appreciated. The wine list is overly expensive and the noise level is high. If you're looking for a quiet corner to talk, this isn't the place. The general hype about it being one of the better restaurants in Milwaukee tends to jam the place. We will ask if there aren't some times when we can enjoy the ambiance. read more

This place is small and cozy, but still managed to make you feel incredibly comfortable during these times. They have built beautiful dividers (not just flimsy plastic) with trim for in between tables and bar stool seating. The staff is incredibly professional and kind AND THE FOOD!! Honestly I don't think I have ever eaten a better plate of pasta. I was mid thought into my first bite and the world seemed to stop. I couldn't remember my name. My soul transcended. If you like pasta on any level you need to check this place out! 14/10 read more

We had wonderful dinner here. Everything was delicious. Our waiter, Nate, was unbelievable. He went way beyond expected. I wound recommend !!!!! read more

Food was wonderful, but service was so unbelievably bad. They asked us for still or sparkling and we said still. $24 later we realized that still costed money and you were supposed to ask for tap water. What? Ok then I told them I was lactose intolerant and they gave me pasta covered in cheese. THEN we told them it was my birthday and they made me pay for dessert. Loved all food but come on now y'all!! read more

I was so very impressed with this restaurant. My wife and I loved everything that we ordered. The pork shank special was perfect. And I don't throw that praise around regularly. read more

Do yourself a favor and check this place out. We came here with some family to celebrate a special occasion. Our Milwaukee counterparts made a reservation the day before. We were seated just as quickly as we walked in. Walking in here you can just tell that there is something special about this place. Everyone looked happy to be there- both servers and those enjoying food and drink alike. Our server was exceptional. I wish I could remember his name to give him a shoutout. Service was definitely top-notch, 5-star, 11/10. I ordered a Caesar salad (sans anchovies) to start, followed by the daily special of chicken ravioli. The salad dressing was probably the best Caesar I've ever had in my life. They could make a killing if they sold that dressing.... Now those raviolis, Lord help me; If I could eat those raviolis every day of my life, I would. No doubt about it. Everything about them was just so right. I didn't finish the raviolis (fortunately, they can box them up for you!) but somehow we managed to squeeze in some dessert. I don't remember what it was called, but we had the chocolate cake with Belgian chocolate. It was so decadent. All of this was followed up with a nice refreshing shot of limoncello. We had such a great experience here. Food and service was top notch. I will absolutely find a way to get back here. read more

Allen, our waiter, was so attentive! The food exceeded our expectations. You will not be disappointed. read more

We are so grateful that Zarletti is offering carryout during these strange days. We love dining in there, and my earlier review reflects the fabulous experiences we've had there. We enjoyed their "take and bake" lasagna tonight, and it was luxurious comfort food personified. The homemade Bolognese really makes the dish. The half pan was an enormous serving, so we'll be able to freeze some and enjoy it again later. You can't go wrong with anything from their menu, whether you dine in or carry out. read more

Zarletti has always been a favorite and while we didn't take advantage of the ambiance of their dining room since covid, we would certainly recommend their take out service. Curbside pickup is on point. Hot food was kept hot and cold food packaged separately. Order was ready on time and delivered to the car with contactless pickup. Even after a 20 minute ride home the food was just as delicious as if we ate it there. Strongly recommend! read more

I finally made it to Zarletti this week. A quaint, small high end Authentic Italian restaurant. It's walking distance to bars, and has comfortable seating/bar atmosphere for how snug it was. The menu is extensive, plenty of options for picky eaters, simple eaters and those that want to try something a little unique. We got 5ish appetizers, all were phenomenal except 1, I forget the name but was just a little too "crab" tasting. My main dish was the veal Osso Buco.. the veal was fantastic, but the sauce/risotto felt a little like pre-made American Italian or a frozen meal. I was a bit disappointed in that, but the 5 people I was with loved their meals, and I'll admit they looked very tasty!! read more

Be there one month before, good environment and friendly staffs. I ordered lamb and friend ordered fish, and we shared salad. Still always red wine for me. It was good! Careful, it's weekend, very hard to find a parking sport! read more

Zarletti - Inside the Zarletti - Italian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I was pleasantly surprised by this place ! I had a really good meal. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. This is my new go to restaurant in Milwaukee. read more

I don't normally give reviews, but this place was amazing and impressively delicious. I was staying at a nearby hotel and came upon this place on a cold night. The staff was very friendly and helpful with menu recommendations. The pasta with spicy sausage and marsala sauce was one of the most amazing pasta dishes I've tried in years (and yes, I eat lots of pasta!). It was a weeknight and the place was packed with very happy diners, myself included. read more

Finally made it to Zarletti's for a boys night out. Terrific meal. Upon entering we were greeted immediately by a professional and friendly hostess. Coat check and table, our server Max helped us choose an excellent bottle of Chianti and worked with us patiently as we made our way through the menu. My two guests are both well versed in dining, each raved about their meal. The Osso Bucco was phenomenal and the risotto complimented it nicely. Pork chop with Gorgonzola cooked to perfection and a huge serving. Max even offered to get us half servings of the Primi to go with our mains, so we didn't miss out on a pasta option. We skipped dessert, didn't have the room. Will be back for an intimate date night with my wife. Can't wait. read more

I've been to Zarletti three times and all were good experiences. However, this last visit for our anniversary was exceptional. I noted on our OpenTable reservation that we were dining there for our anniversary and that both of us are vegetarian. They certainly took note of both of these things! Upon being seated, we were welcomed with complimentary champagne. The waiter then went through the menu with us, picking out all the things that were vegetarian, could be made vegetarian and even some off-menu items that we could get made to order. My husband modified the marsala cream sauce dish to be sans-sausage and I ordered the off-menu gnocchi with pesto and broccoli rabe. Both were delightful! We also enjoyed their olive appetizer, the complimentary bread and a cup of the minestrone each. My favorite part of the meal was definitely the dessert special of evening: rhubarb cobbler with gelato. Such a delight! We experienced all of this whilst sipping on several wines from their extensive wine list. Everyone was so welcoming and accommodating, I couldn't recommend it more for a special evening out. The only thing I could possibly warn about is that the dining room is a rather cozy fit and does get quite busy. If you're looking for a quiet, intimate spot, this might not be the place. Our waiter certainly had to do some impressive maneuvering to get to us at times. Nonetheless, the space is lovely, classic and simple. read more

We have been going to this restaurant since it opened. I usually order the lamb or the Halibut. Last night I ordered the lamb. I was shocked to see a disheveled plate of tiny lamb chops which were so thin they belonged on a charcuterie platter. Some were raw and some were over cooked. I sent it back and ordered the Halibut with potatoes. The Halibut arrived with the zucchini. It obviously had not rested at all as I bit into it and burned my tongue and the roof of my mouth. This is certainly not what I expect from a fine dining restaurant. Used to be a very good restaurant. Now I understand why it was empty on a Friday night. For the price they charge and with all the great dining options in Milwaukee, we will not be going back anytime soon. They did not remove it from our bill. After this the waitress became very curt with us and just wanted us out of there. Not a way to diffuse a bad situation. read more

A friend who had dined here the night before recommended this restaurant to us when we were visiting Milwaukee. Although we had made a reservation for a table, we decided when we arrived to have dinner at the bar instead. What a fantastic experience! The bartender, Bryan, took excellent care of us all night. He knew the precise details of every single dinner special, and when we ordered wine he made a few specific recommendations for dishes that would pair well with the flavor profile of the wine. We started with a few different types of crostini -- black truffle burrata, mortadella pate, and roasted lamb -- and then opted for a ragu with rabbit and gnocchi with a lamb ragu for our mains. Stellar food and service all around. We had an excellent visit here. read more

Price points at lunch = totally reasonable/approachable. Dinner menu = looked fab, will return to check it out! Additionally: Don't be put off by the white linens and proper "French-style" service despite this joint being an Italian-American one. This place seems slightly unapproachable from the outside - in part due to its location, perhaps - but that is definitely not the case. If you've been thinking about checking out Zarletti, I say go for it! Plus, they have that butternut squash ravioli that everyone keeps raving about... (was really hoping for that option at lunch but to no avail. I'll just have to hunt it down another time.) Had: Caesar salad w/ grilled shrimp + the soup de jour (it's the soup of the day, guys), a little white bean and sausage number. Solid quality and execution on the little things matter, too. Service was attentive and friendly. Will definitely return for dinner and give more comprehensive after the fact! read more