Otto's Restaurant and Bar - Madison

Loved the food!!! Steak and sea bass were incredible! Our waitress was lovely! She seemed a bit overworked, though. Old school looking maybe could use an update for the atmosphere.

Food, atmosphere and service are all AMAZING!!!

Special occasion place, Extremely fresh ingredients. Went for Valentine's Day and they made it special. I had Alaskan Halibut and it was awesome! Our server Jesse was amazing and attentive

Entire table of 7 ladies thoroughly enjoyed Mediterranean appetizer, salads, tomato bisque, and multiple entrees. Sea bass melted in your mouth! Sea food platter had shrimp, scallops and salmon with tasty veggies. Spinach artichoke pasta, Greek chicken salad, and Mediterranean platter {esp lamb and couscous) were also delicious.

I love the private, treetop feel to the patio. The live music (Wednesdays) was an unexpected delight. Wine menu is decent and the food is excellent. I need to remember to keep it on my date night list!

We had a great time at Otto's. We made reservations for 7:30. The table was ready, staff were quick, and the food was fantastic. The lamb was perfect.

Cute supper club. Very good dirty martini. Great for a leisurely dinner. Does take a little time for your delicious food. My scallops were AMAZING. We were on our way to another event so we didn't get to try their desserts. Definitely a great place to spend an evening.

I don't understand how this place has any ratings less than 5 stars. It was amazing.

Every dish was perfect, staff were attentive and the margarita was powerful and delicious.

Great live music from Westside Andy and Glen as well as gourmet food and fantastic drinks!

Everything was good. I had the New Zealand lamb chops.

It was my birthday went with family and friends. The bar made great drinks. Food was fantastic. Cheryl was our server she was fabulous!!!

Wonderful intimate restaurant. Great food, great sevice. They charge for it, but totally worth it, if only for a special occasion. Anniversary coming up? This is a perfect place to take your partner. Lamb chops is 1 of their specialties (though lamb is not my choice). For appetizer we had crab cakes (Moroccan/N African style, with curry seasoning). I had the salmon wrapped in grape leaves. My husband had a steak. We split a chocolate truffle dessert. Everything was so yummy. We didn't have drinks (alcohol) but they have full bar service. I think the per person cost for the 2 of us was about $65 (with tip). Thanks to my sister for treating us!

One of the best meals I have had in a long, long time. The service was incredible, the atmosphere was warm and cozy, and the food was to die for! We had the Ottos sampler. (The stuffed mushroom caps were my favorite but the prosciutto wrapped shrimp was a close 2nd. The lady had the Seabass and I had the New Zealand Lamb Chops. Absolutely fantastic. Will be back!

My very first time was great experience! Food was absolutely delicious along with their fresh spring water Panna. Highly recommend to finish off with the strawberry napoleon for dessert. 10/10 Will continue to make visits to Otto’s(:

Otto's is a lovely spot for a quiet, sophisticated lunch. The menu is unique, and everything I have eaten there was delicious. The service is excellent from seasoned staff who like to engage with their patrons. I love the warm home-like atmosphere in the dining room upstairs. Don't be put off by the bar chairs stacked in the bar as you walk through to the dining area. It does feel unwelcoming. The bar area is not open for lunch, but you can order wine and drinks with your meal. This is fast becoming a favorite spot for special lunches.

I can’t believe I’ve lived in Madison for over 30 years and this was my first time here. Food was really good, apps and main course (calamari, mushroom caps, ribeye and mushroom bisque soup). Had a few drinks at the bar before dinner, atmosphere and service were amazing. Will definitely be going back!

Such a great meal that I'm still thinking about it the next day. We arrived a bit early and had a cocktail at the bar while we waited. The Otto's Sidecars were on point but a challenge to carry upstairs in a martini glass. Our boys enjoyed the seafood trio, the Maple Leaf Farms duck I had was perfectly glazed with cherries, and my husband had the Mediterranean platter. Such an intimate atmosphere. I look forward to returning.

The ratings for this place led to high expectations before I walked in, and I must say that I was still pleasantly surprised. I encountered no less than three employees when walking in, and all of them projected the same pleasant emotions and elation about my presence. They truly made me feel welcome in their restaurant. I was promptly seated, and the waitress was pleasant in her interaction, and did not give me the feeling that she was in a rush to be anywhere else - she was patient with my questions, and gave great recommendations. Needless to say, the food was phenomenal. It was served hot, and on time. I ordered an appetizer, and then a tasting menu with wine pairings. The staff was accommodating in letting me substitute items I did not prefer in the set menu. Overall, a wonderful dining experience.

I ordered the lamb chops which had a grilled flavor, very tender, nicely seasoned with a mint pesto that complimented it perfectly!! Absolutely delicious! My husband ordered the duck and loved it! Otto's is a fantastic place to eat!

My wife and I had never been to Otto's before. We had heard about it, but didn't know much about it aside from seeing the sign. We Google searched some local restaurants for our date night, and Otto's popped up. So we decided to give it a try. It's based out of an old farm house and is actually pretty big. The service was great and the food was delicious. I had duck and my wife had scallops. If you're looking for a restaurant with great ambiance and food, definitely check out Otto's!

My recent visit to Otto’s Restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin was nothing short of outstanding. From the moment we walked in, the warm, inviting atmosphere set the stage for what turned out to be one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The spinach artichoke pasta with shrimp deserves special mention — it was absolutely phenomenal. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce was rich and flavorful without being heavy, and the shrimp were tender and seasoned to perfection. It struck that perfect balance of comfort food and fine dining elegance. Our server/bartender, Brian, elevated the experience even further. He took our entire table’s order completely by memory — not a single note, and not a single mistake! That alone was impressive, but he went above and beyond throughout the night with impeccable timing, genuine warmth, and deep knowledge of the menu. And then there were the drinks — wow. I ordered a Manhattan, and I can honestly say it was the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly balanced, smooth, and crafted with real skill. Brian clearly knows his way around the bar. If you’re in Madison and looking for an evening of exceptional food, top-tier service, and craft cocktails done right, Otto’s should be at the top of your list. I’ll absolutely be back!

Cheryl was our server. She was attentive and very informative about the food. Best service I've ever had. The food was the bomb. I had the filet and I was cutting it with my butter knife. Can't wait to go back.

Was a delightful spot pre Covid19 and it still is now during Covid19. Went for a brunch with a friend, safe and clean practices. Was nostalgic to be there at such a different time and circumstances. Part of the charm always been people laughing, talking, huddling around tables. While that’s not present yet, we made do with good service and food. As the weather improves definitely will be visiting to sit and dine outside.

My husband and I ate here for our 13th anniversary. It was our first time visiting this restaurant. It was kind of weird being in the first floor with no one really saying anything or greeting the guests right away. There is really no sign that you should go upstairs for your reservation. After a couple awkward stares we were told to go upstairs. Our waitress was very kind and attentive; she always made sure we had drinks and bread. I think her name is "Quin/Queen'' (sorry if this is not correct spelling). We would love to return as long as she's our waitress again. I had lamb chops and my husband had seafood dish. We both enjoyed our dinners. I had an Otto's Manhattan cocktail, which I honestly didn't really like but I finished it. The wine we had was great! Our dessert was yummy! Overall I would recommend this place for a nice meal.

Delicious food, excellent service, and nice decor. Fresh baked bread, Prosciutto wrapped shrimp, Caesar salad, and Soft shell crab over risotto with chimichuri sauce.

Ordered a couple appetizers and then creme brûlée for dessert! The dessert was very tasty and definitely took care of my craving for creme brûlée. It wasn't quite as creamy as I was hoping but still had great flavor and a lovely caramelized topping :)

Menu hasn't changed in 17 years, they're good at what they do, lamb and sea bass for me every time(mussels are too big, as I prefer the petite ones, my only rub)

My husband and I went to Otto’s last weekend for a date night, never having eaten there before. We had a reservation and were seated at a massive table near the emergency exit. There was only one other table with guests in our section, so I had asked if we could move to a more intimate table for two in the sunshine. We were told no and that the tables were reserved, despite being a party of two moving to another table for two. Our waitress, Tara, was fantastic. She didn’t understand why we were at such a large table and tried to get us moved, but she too was unable to make it happen. Everything we ate was delicious. We got crab cakes, filet mignon, scallops, and the bread basket. The atmosphere was ok. It was tainted by the fact that we felt we were undeserving of a nicer table. As mentioned before, Tara was a great waitress, she was attentive, help, and had a good attitude. Not sure if we’d return though. If we did, we’d try for a table outside.

I hadn’t been to this restaurant in many years so it was a treat to return. The ambiance is quite lovely in this old farmhouse. The service was pretty good but we lost our waitress for quite some time. I was with my very elderly family member, I felt the waitress could have been a little more patient with her however the hostess and other staff were very pleasant and accommodating. My scallops were delicious! Salad was boring and lacked flavor or creativity. Overall good experience!

Our first time here. Stuffed mushroom appetizer was delicious. Mushroom bisque soup was tasty. Seafood trio consisted of lots of potatoes and red peppers, only 1 scallop, 2 shrimp, and a small square of salmon. It was hoping for more seafood for the price. The salmon in grape leaves was good but lacked flavor. We had the bread pudding for dessert, which was free for our anniversary celebration. It was not a moist cake like a typical bread pudding, seemed more of dry sweet bread/biscuit with a glaze. The old farm house charm was nice. Staff were pleasant and met all our needs. But sadly, we went for the food and the dishes we had were definitely not worth the price. I don’t think we will be going back.

The restaurant is slightly hard to get to. It's tucked away, and has the sign on the wrong side of the entrance so it's easy to miss. Food was decent. Though their tasting menu is just a starter, main, and dessert. It felt pretty simple, though was cooked well. The atmosphere is pretty noisy, to the point where it's rather difficult to hold a conversation. Service was very slow. The server seemed to avoid eye contact when trying to get their attention. Overall was hoping for a nice date night and we both left feeling annoyed and ready to be out of there.

Stopped in for happy hour drinks and appetizers. Bartender was attentive, but aloof. Mushroom, shrimp and crustini trio was bland, poorly cooked ... kind of like samples at Cosco. Felt pretentious and stuffy. Not impressed. Very disappointed, as Ottos was a fav with my late parents who frequently enjoyed the live jazz and welcoming atmosphere over the years. I guess you can't go home again 😕

We live across the street, so we enjoyed it about 4 years go. The menu has not changed in 7 years, the portions have gotten smaller, and the service has declined. Last night I witnessed the bartenders pouring extremely generous pours to a bunch of regulars and catering to them inappropriately. And then, one of these inebriated regulars, bought a round including the bartender! A bartender who openly drinks on the job? The calamari are delicious as was the bruschetta. The drinks were weak and mostly ice. I wish could give a better review, but these are the facts.

Nothing particularly stood out, and the dishes felt overpriced for what we received. The seafood platter included only a SINGLE scallop. The sea bass lacked flavor. The dining area also felt cramped and too warm.

We ordered "Seared scallop", "Grilled lamb chops" and "strawberry Napoleon" My scallop had sand in it and when I brought it up to the server, they told me that "their scallop is fresh and bought today", the fact that it had sand and not edible was not a matter of being fresh or not, simply it was not cleaned and they did not do anything about it even after they heard about the problem, I ended up eating my husband food cause the feeling of sand under teeth was disgusting. About the risotto that came with the scallop, I would say I didn't enjoy that as well. "Grilled lamb chops" was average and nothing special about it. "strawberry Napoleon" was all clumsy. The only good thing about this restaurant was the beautiful deck they had.

I really don't have complaints about our waitress she was fine, the other waiters were distracting and somewhat loud at times but whatever. The issue I had was that for a "fine dining" experience the food would have been sub par for a supermarket buffet. The scallops were rubbery and tough the risotto was undercooked so badly it was inedible. The Moscow mules were bitter with and without liquor in them. The chicken was dry, the asparagus was super fat and tasteless and the salad was just boring like greens and vinaigrette are a good base but on its own just bitter and difficult to eat. I thought the old building was cool but the paint chipping off the corners just screams of neglect. I wouldn't go back if it was a third the price it just wasn't good.

Ordered the filet and added 3 scallops. Food came, no scallops. “There was a misunderstanding in the kitchen” ate the most mediocre at best filet of my life. Saving grace, the green beans were spot on. Half way through dinner the most undercooked scallops I’ve ever seen came out. I passed on them, as there was zero sear and still jelly on the middle. 10 min after finishing my meal, a new set of scallops arrive. New excuse, “American scallops don’t sear like others” Sad to say the champagne was the highlight of the meal. $300 for the most average meal I’ve had in a long time. I don’t expect to be back, and would advise others to do the same. Such a shame because my wife and I were excited because it was our first time here

The food was delicious but the service was really lacking. We had to ask for water refills several times and they hardly checked on us. Since we were a group of 8, my husband (who works as a waiter and has for 8 years) said the $60 gratuity was already calculated into the bill and that's why the waitress was ignoring us. We called several weeks before our wedding to make this reservation at Otto's and specifically asked over the phone if we could bring in a small cake since this would be our dinner after our small wedding ceremony. They said we could and didn't say anything about a fee. The night of our wedding dinner, I asked the waitress for 8 small plates and clean forks. I was informed that there is a $15 cake cutting fee. I explained that we were not told this over the phone and $15 is a pricey and unpleasant surprise since dinner was already so expensive at Otto's. That didn't matter to the waitress. She brought plates, forks and a knife, charged us $15, and then we had to cut our own cake even though a 'cake cutting fee' implies she or another staff member would have cut the cake. We've been to Otto's a few times in the past and enjoyed our experience, but after this very disappointing experience on our wedding day of all days, we won't be back.

We could not be more disappointed with our experience at Otto’s. We had a reservation but still waited to be seated because there was no one at the host stand. We went for a birthday celebration, but all we got was a cold “happy birthday” when we walked in before we were led to our very tiny table in the corner of the room. The food was the worst part of the night. The seafood trio had only one scallop, one small piece of overcooked salmon, and two very salty shrimps (the worst fifty dollars I have ever spent). Everything was either very salty or very dry. I can’t believe they label this restaurant as a “fine dining” restaurant… there was nothing fine about this place. I wish I have a time machine so that I could go back to yesterday and celebrate this special day somewhere else 🤡