Great service and food was best French food I have ever had in Madison. Cocktails really good too. Get bouillabaisse

All around, this the best restaurant in the area. They have great food, great hospitality. and it's run by great people. It seems a bit undiscovered at the moment, so do yourself a favor and go here before reservations are hard to come by. read more

My husband and I had a great meal and great experience at Cadre. The food was delicious. I had the Beef Bourguignon and my husband had the fish. Both dishes were perfectly cooked. We wanted a bottle of wine that would work with both meat and fish. We were stumped. Our server recommended a Chablis which was perfect. It actually held up to the meat. Chablis have changed in recent years. It was really good. We don't recall a restaurant with better service. Thank you for such a nice evening. We'll be back. read more

We went last night to celebrate with our work team, everything was spectacular. The food, drinks and service were all excellent. The atmosphere is welcoming and warm. I always recommend Cadre to people as consistently one of my favorite places in Madison. We had a wonderful time and will be back. read more

I came here on a weeknight after work after a last minute suggestion by a friend and we had a fantastic meal. They had a cheese board special that was very reasonably priced at $6, with a very healthy portion of a soft, delicious cheese that was split between three people. I have only recently become a fan of lentils, so I ordered the lentils and crepes...it definitely exceeded my expectations. The crepes were stuffed with a herbed cheese that was delicious and went very well with the lentils. To top it all off they also had $6 pours of the house cava. Overall we had a great experience, the restaurant was warm and inviting, the specials on wednesdays are great and the food was delicious. We will definitely be back! read more

I was excited to try out this place based on all the positive reviews I had seen. Came here on a Thursday for lunch. The lunch menu was smaller than expected, and items were way simpler. Only one entree offering, and the rest were sandwiches, omelets, and salads. We ordered the omelet of the day, the cadre burger, and the mussels, and a couple of their house non-alcoholic drinks. The drinks were good, nothing to really write home about, and at the price, not worth a revisit. The omelet came with a petite salad on the side. The omelet itself was ok, the edges were a bit overcooked, so a bit rubbery there. The hollandaise was too thick, and killed the mouthfeel of the dish for me. The burger was pretty bland. Our server did not ask how we wanted the burger, so I assumed there was just one level of done-ness, and apparently that one level is well done. The meat was under seasoned, and dry. Also came with a petite salad on the side. Last thing we got was the mussels. The crusty bread that came with it was very nice. Crunchy crust and soft insides. The mussels were done in a very typical white wine sauce. Nothing special at all, and honestly I've had better at Sardine, or Brasserie V. The sauce itself was also a bit on the thin side, and a bit too acidic in my opinion. Overall, I'm a bit disappointed after this visit. Maybe dinner is where all the great reviews are coming from? But from what I've experienced from lunch, I don't think it's worth a shot to try a dinner. read more

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Service was excellent. Food was transcendent. I was nearly brought to tears by the symphony of novel flavors presented to me. I will never be the same. read more

Their pudding with rum was outwordly! The beef in daube was very tender, although the meal could do better with less mushrooms.

Cadre is a superb addition to the Madison dining scene. The food is homey yet sophisticated, and done just right. The prices are very reasonable. And the service and the setting are warm and welcoming. We've become regulars and love coming back. read more

Thought this place had potential, based on the menu content and abundance of vegetable dishes, but everything we tried was rather lackluster. The roots & fungi sides and the fish entree were all distractingly oil saturated, without much additional flavor. Everything was kind of soggy, but I hope the concept pulls through and things improve as they're open longer! Service was friendly, however, and we were seated easily with a reservation, which they recommend. read more

We've been twice and both times enjoyed everything we ordered including the cocktails. The beef bourguignon was so delicious. The food is wonderful and the staff really make you feel welcome. They are clearly invested in the restaurant and make the experience feel special. read more

Given the rave reviews of area food critics and the unavailability of reservations, I was expecting to experience a new favorite. Sadly, I was underwhelmed. The food is the equivalent of the low quality fare served to unsuspecting tourists along the Champs Élysées. The cassoulet was clearly a quick recipe - not slow cooked to achieve crusty layers that are characteristic of the real thing. Likewise, the bouillabaisse was reminiscent of something, but not bouillabaisse. It was served with a quarter loaf of something they called a baguette (not toasted slices rubbed with garlic, as it should be). In fact, every dish we ordered came with copious amounts of bread, as if the chef knew we would need something else to eat. The bread is sourced from Stalzy's Deli. The baguette and pan epi had the texture of Wonder Bread. I don't understand why a "French" style restaurant in Madison would not source good quality sourdough bread from the same place so many restaurants in the area get it. One and done! This restaurant is not worth a second try, when there are so many good options in town. It's low quality and poorly executed at a high price. read more

A dear group of my girlfriends and I wanted to plan a special evening out together and a friend in our group recommended Cadre and set up a tasting for us. Chef Evan put together a tasting that was out of this world! There were four of us sharing this experience together and we all agreed it was one of the very best dining experiences of our lives. The care that was put into each course coupled with our wonderfully thoughtful server as well as an excellent recommendation from the Sommelier made for a truly unforgettable evening. Words fail to capture how incredible our experience was. I can't recommend Cadre enough! We are so thankful for the entire crew there who made our night so special! read more

Great restaurant, great staff. I accidentally cut my finger while chopping vegetables and it kept bleeding. I walked into this restaurant and a gentleman and a lady were kind enough to help me. The gentleman helped me get a band-aid from the kitchen and the lady gave me lots of tissues and helped me wipe the blood. I am very grateful to them. I wish them all the best. read more

My wife and I went to Cadre with friends. We all enjoyed our dishes, and I will be back. If you want to set expectations, the place reminded me of Sardine in the food inspiration, but below the selection, ambience, and execution of the dishes. The flavors were all quite nice, and we were all complimentary. If I the restaurant wanted advice, two couples out for the evening are looking for a casual event. We were orderring appetizers and drinks, and Brianna kept pushing to order and finish. I know that poor attention can cause troubles as well, but recognizing your customer is important. Too pushy! The check was put down befoore the last plate was cleared. read more

In my estimation, one of the best new restaurants to come to the west side. I've been there for both lunch and dinner and always had a delightful meal. The whitefish salad sandwich was delectable and had just the right amount of seasoning. The croque monsieur was richer and welcome on a blustery winter day. Their bouillabaisse had a savory fennel forward broth accenting the well prepared fish and mollusks. I'm told that the seafood varies depending on what the chef finds meets his standards. One of my dinner mates had the boeuf bourguignon and I tried a swipe of the sauce on the crusty French bread that I had with my bouillabaisse. Delicious! Well deserving of all the hype and what I will order on my next dinner there. While it is not Ovens of Brittany, nor does it try to be, it fills that niche of cozy restaurant with well made food that has been empty for too long. It will be a regular hangout for us. read more

Cadre is a fantastic restaurant on University Ave.. The food, ambience and our waitperson were lovely. There was nothing I didn't love that I tried from the Rose tea to the Gorgonzola and Nicoise salads and fresh herb omelette. The ingredients were fresh and flavorful. The prices were even a bit lower than we expected given the quality of the food and service. I can't wait to visit Cadre again! read more

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We love Cadre. The staff is attentive, fun, and knows their stuff. Food is delicious. We have tried just about everything on the menu and have not been disappointed. The atmosphere is such that you can dine here for a special occasion, or a casual evening out. We think Cadre is one of Madison's best kept secrets! read more

Parking during dinner hours is hard to find and will be a walk. The interior is cozy but a little loud. Seating was OK but some tables are pretty close together. Service was friendly but slow - think we showed up during the dinner rush and it showed. Food: - House salad was just OK but bland and not very generous. - The Bread/Cultured Butter appetizer was a miss - bread was too dry with little taste. Bread did not seem homemade. - The Beef Bourguignon was not. No signs/taste of any red wine/burgundy used - meat was tender but tasted like plain old beef stew. Carrots were barely cooked as in hard. - Other dish was the Pasta Provencal - just OK and taste was minimal. Could have used more tomato confit. With some tweaks hopefully Cadre could become a restaurant I would like to try again. read more

Five stars for the food. It's been a long time since I've had a such a perfect French Beef Bourguignon. We were truly impressed with the tenderness of the beef and full on flavor of the dish. Also impressive was a side dish of oyster mushrooms and ravigote sauce. 5 stars for staff. Very personable and attentive However, 2 stars for the noise level. Tavern-like noise does not do your food justice. I felt like we had to talk IN ALL CAPS. We are not asking for the hushed quiet of L'Etoile just some acoustical tweeking that would allow for more comfortable conversation over such fabulous French food. We'll definitely be back with friends to try more dishes. Even with having to shout our conversation, the food was worth it! read more

My husband and I had brunch here today and it was excellent. I had eggs benedict and my husband had the Mont omlet. Both were served with a green salad and bite sized potatoes. My husband usually adds salt and pepper to everything , but declared the omelet to be so perfectly seasoned that he would not change a thing. The egg benedict was on a bed of thinly sliced ham. The coffee was a rich, dark roast and the orange juice fresh squeezed. Service was excellent with just the right amount of coffee and water refills. Prices were fair for quality and quantity of the meal. Highly recommend. read more

Fabulous restaurant!! The beef bourguignon and bouillabaisse are both winners but save room for dessert! Highly recommend!!

Three of us went out braving COVID. Other than wondering about HVAC filtration, a common ponderance for me, I felt pretty safe there, exposure wise, inside; it was far too cold to eat outside. I like the prix fixe menu and I ordered monkfish and the other 2 got braised shortribs. My fish was great (wish it came with more bread to sop up the divine sauce) but the ribs came out cold(!!). And the service was too unobtrusive. One should not have to search for the host to alert the restaurant to a serving issue. So the ribs were whisked away and I ate alone, and 10 or 15 minutes later new ribs appeared after I was through eating so I watched them eat. This was unsatisfactory. The appetizers were great. Main courses were tasty...but it's hard to get past cold food. Desert was just okay. Went home feeling disappointment. read more

Cadre is a fantastic dining experience!! The atmosphere is exceptional, fun cocktails, great apps...the bread and butter is a must! Small plates and entrees make everyone happy. Save room for dessert...a lovely restaurant for every day or a special occasion!! read more

An absolutely terrific restaurant! They serve meals that are both creative and delicious, influenced by the chef's haut cuisine training and Wisconsin traditions (e.g. goat cheese curds, better than you can imagine). Their take-out game, good since the beginning of quarantine, has recently reached new highs with the weekly menus from different regions of France. Recommend enthusiastically, and don't forget dessert. read more

The food here was excellent. We had the whitefish terrine for appetizer which was very good. For my entree I had the seared whitefish which was prepared wonderfully and very enjoyable. The wine list is great. Many good choices at varying price points. The cocktail list and beer list was good as well. Very enjoyable time. Good service and nice ambiance. read more

We ate at Cadre recently for our anniversary. The food was great, and the cocktails were delicious. The staff is all super knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. I appreciated their attention to detail, and felt that they went the extra mile to make us feel safe. They have a really nice outdoor area too!! read more

Cadre's response to offering a safe and enjoyable dining experience is thoughtful and creative. The recessed, outdoor patio works perfectly. Safety is a priority and elegantly woven into excellent service. The prix fixte menu is very fresh and creative-just delicious! The staff are friendly and attentive. By inviting friends to join us at an adjacent, appropriately-spaced table we have enjoyed many a relaxed evening exclaiming about the excellent food and relaxed atmosphere. Great staff doing and outstanding job! read more

Cadre has it all. They put their hard work into everything they make starting with their original cocktails, ending with their desserts, and everything in between . Their cheese curds are a must (best in Madison) We've been wowed every time we've visited (and it's been many times). They are genuine, authentic, and take pride in what they do. No doubt one of the best places to dine in Madison all around. Friendly and fabulous..please support them you won't be disappointed!! read more

Been here twice now, for breakfast and dinner. Food was incredible both times! I had the croque madame for breakfast and my son had the lemon ricotta pancakes (which I sampled as well, Dad tax and all) and everything was to perfection. We came back for dinner and I sampled the moules frites and whitefish terrine. Magnifique! My friend had the choucroute garni and it was out of this world. Great drink list and a diverse selection of tap beers as well. Staff was friendly, fast and very warm, made us feel like family. We'll be coming back regularly and I plan on trying everything! read more

We were so looking forward to our first dinner at Cadre. We went on a Friday evening and the place was hopping! I thought that was a good sign. We each had a cocktail and the special cheese starter. The drinks were good and the melty cheese and bread delicious. Then things went south ..I ordered the steak frites. The twist on the frites (julienned potatoes) was interesting. The steak however was VERY tough. You know it's tough when the steak knife provided doesn't cut the meat. When I ordered, the server said for an additional $7 I could have a different cut of meat but I assumed at $28 the steak described on the menu would be fine. Perhaps I should have taken that as a caution. The meal came with a small pitcher of Bearnaise sauce that was so thick it wouldn't pour. When our server checked in to see how our meals were I told her that the steak was very tough and I couldn't cut it. Her response was, "Really? I'm so sorry" and then walked away. My husband ordered the Bouillabaisse. His reaction was it was nothing special. Not horrible, but pretty skimpy on the seafood. Perhaps it was an off night but I don't want to risk a second try... read more

I was so excited excited to see a French bistro-type restaurant opening up on Madison's west side. I've wanted such a "go-to" place for years, one that I could patronize weekly if not more frequently. But I don't think Cadre will become that go-to place without some changes. The food was good enough. Not mind-blowing, but worthy of repeat visits. The bouillabaisse had plenty of fish and shellfish, tender tasty sliced red potatoes, and a flavorful, multi-layered broth. The boeuf Bourgonion was also good, served with small portions of mashed potatoes and root vegetables. More sauce would have been nice to sop up with the potatoes and bread. Sides-- we tried the Brussels sprouts, salad, and sweet potatoes -- were serviceable. So far, so good. Not rave-about good, but good enough. We were disappointed with the wine list, which seemed largely overpriced. We had to order bread for the table to munch on while waiting for our mains, and it cost $1 a slice! It was decent bread and very tasty butter, but felt like a rip-off, especially since most local places give you a gratis bread basket and even refill it if necessary. And parking on a cold, rainy night was miserable. So we will probably go back on occasion (when we want a glass of wine instead of a bottle), but Cadre is not the home away from home I was hoping to find. read more