A pleasant drive from Chicagoland to Café Carpe and a very satisfied drive back after an excellent concert from Paul Cebar, Peter Mulvey, Bill Campln and Carsie Blanton. We were first timers to this venue--tickets are purchased beforehand and with about 60 seats, they assign seats. There is no bad seat. The acoustics and atmosphere are great. Separate from the listening room is a very comfortable bar, dining area and the servers know the show routine, patiently explaining to each customer about the assigned seats. They have a limited menu for the concerts, but a full bar. The hamburger was okay, the ice-tea amazing--the whole place fantastic! read more

Cafe Carpe - Sunday relaxation. - American Near Me - Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

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The music was wonderful - but I knew it would be going in as that was the reason I was there. Garnet Rogers never disappoints. The listening room is cozy but the setup is nice and the acoustics are good. Drove up from IL because of the concert. The place is lovely, with a cool, quirky vibe. Got there early for eats. It was a Monday - they were open only because of the concert that evening, therefore the menu was very limited. The only reason I chose to eat there at all was because they referenced in their ticket confirmation email that food and drink was their bread and butter, so I wanted to oblige them on that score. The pasta was so so. I went as a single female. I'm pretty sure I was the only solo flier there. This is, to a large extent, a place where everybody knows everybody. I felt out of place. I've been to a number of concerts etc. on my own in the past and typically meet people that will chat and engage you. Not here. That was disappointing. The strangers I met at McDonald's and the gas station during the drive up and back were friendlier. Would not go there alone again. There is a screened porch that looks out over the river - this is where you are seated to eat. You can wander out there during intermission. The river. The river was very welcoming indeed. read more

Love this place! The food is so good and fortifying to the soul. Love the beers on tap. You can tell they care about quality. The vibe is on point. Satchel took real good care of us. Kitty was holding it down in the kitchen. Bill came over and waxed poetic about the area he's from just up the road. I've known these kind folks for awhile, but whenever I come back here it feels like home. 5 stars all day long! read more

Went there for the first time last week and it has a cool funky hippie vibe. brought me back to the 60s. had a great blue cheese, burger, and nice draft beer. read more

Great drive from Milwaukee. Prices are great for the show s and top musicians . Food is real good, I had a grass fed hamburger and fries . Everyone was friendly even Bill, who's one of the best singers I've ever heard . I enjoyed it a lot . Hope he books the R+ B Cadets someday . read more

No Meal. we each had 1 beer. relaxed. chatted with owner. nice place an have been in when bands are there.

What's a wonderful way to warm up after the Ft Atkinson holiday parade? A Hot Buttered Rum at Cafe Carpe. Very friendly place! And live music. I'll be back. read more

My husband and I found this place through YELP. We enjoyed it very much. Nice and friendly atmosphere. Good food.

One night while I was at UW-Milwaukee, my brother and I drove nearly an hour out into the country to Fort Atkinson. I had heard about this place but my first trip there was great. At the front of this place is a bar and restaurant and the back has a cozy room to see bands. The night I was there, it was a calm evening of open mic singers. What I like most about this place is the history of one, Jeffrey Foucault who played here. When I moved to San Francisco I visited Carpe's website to find they were advertising Jeff's new CD, Miles From the Lightning. I never heard him and listened to a few of his tracks. Jeff has since become something of a star and a fantastic musician on the folk circuit. That a place like this exists in Southern Wisconsin outside of Madison or Milwaukee is truly a great thing. read more

There are two primary reasons to go to Cafe Carpe (ok maybe more but i'll get to them later) Great Food, or Great Music. Either one makes them worth the drive from just about anywhere. If your going for a show come early enough to get a good meal. Their beef for their burger comes from a local farm and is really tasty . We want to come back and try the Jambayla. (not sure if the Jambayla was just a daily special or served all the time). Very good home coked food. Its a fun place. The tables are close together and some people were sitting around playing cards. It's very friendly and a neat environment for a little restaurant/bar. As a venue to catch some great music the room that the preformances are in holds about 60 people and is a mix of chairs reclaimed theather rows and church pews. Its cozy for a sold out show but wow the accoustics are amazing and you are so close to the preformers. It is the perfect place to hear some great music. read more

This is a great place to feel comfortable and welcome. Kitty and Bill are always welcoming, Satchel is a card as well as efficient, the place is beautiful and cozy, and the music is wonderful and priced to fit our budget. It is popular with the locals, right by the riverwalk, conveniently located downtown, and highly tuned to the latest local happenings. The back room is even a good place to hold business meetings. Oh and the food is good. read more

Another fun, music filled evening....bowl of chili, couple of Mud Puppy Porters from Central Waters; Sarah had a Reuben...all tasty...followed by a wonderful Kat Eggelston / Kate ;MacLeod intimate (maybe 25 folks) folks concert....you forget about their hits until you hear the music again... read more

Love this place. Had the jambalaya, it was great. Best coffee. Even their water is better. Ate on their screened porch. Their building is lovely, next to the river. read more

Cafe Carpe has been on my bucket list for a long time, but for whatever reason we didn't go until last night. What a great spot to listen to great music in a comfortable setting. My wife asked each other what were we waiting for . It was totally worth the drive. We plan on being regulars from here on. The food was great, the drinks reasonable and the service was awesome. read more

OMG! Fantastic food (as always). Insanely great attention to food details! Cauliflower blue cheese soup is sublime & delicious. Dessert are always to die for!!! read more

This is a very down to earth cafe that has very good homecooked food. The owner/chef/house musician serves some tasty pankakes and other breakfast foods which are his speciality. The server I spoke to was also a musician like myself so we shared a few stories. They have folk and blues performers here around once a week. The main room is very small, but they will open up the back room if needed. read more

Let me get this out of the way first - I've never tried the food here, so I can't speak to that. However, this place is something special, and whether you're just passing through Fort Atkinson, or live in the surrounding area, it's worth checking out, especially if you are a lover of any music that falls under the general "Americana" heading - folk, bluegrass, blues, country, etc. It is truly an amazing place to see live music. The back room has a bit of a "hole-in-the-wall" feel, with its beat-up but beautiful original turn-of-the-century wood paneling and trim, but it has great sound - you'll hear every unamplified note coming from that Martin D-18 or mandolin on the stage. Great local craft beers on tap. Friendly service. Great music. What more do you want?? read more

Good food, laid back atmosphere, friendly service. This is a good place to go if you are looking for an casual place to eat good food.

Stopped for dinner. At 7pm they were already out of food. It was deep dish pizza night and we each got one slice of pizza. That's all the food they had. Not like Chicago deep dish and eight dollars a slice not worth it. Service minimalist. I hear that live music is great. I may check that out but I'll eat before I get to the music. read more

Quaint little bar/restaurant of the main drag. I had the cold salami sandwich for lunch...I've never had a better one! Fresh, tastey...Get all the fixings on it! Midwest nice. Love WI read more

Very nice rustic ambiance with coziness and friendly service. Do not expect too much just go there to eat and drink and do not forget to try their daily soup as well. read more

Great food, plenty of options for vegetarians and meateaters alike. Great service, cheapish beer and fun atmosphere. Enjoyed my meal and drinks everytime I go. I only wish they served fries instead of chips. The chips don't make me feel as full and it's nice to have something hot. read more

Horrid. Hair in sandwich. Snotty staff (the waitress was ok but never smiled). Ssssllllooooowwww service (30 mins from entry to slapping panini sandwiches on the table). Oh, yes, seat yourself and get your own menus or it will be another 15 mins. Very noisy clanking of dishes in front area so could not hear someone 2 feet away. Greasy sandwiches w cheap potato chips. The staff do not want to be serving lunch to patrons. Therefore I would recommend to avoid this place. This is my first Yelp review because I felt I owed it to humanity to not be insulted by this depressing place. read more

This is one of the best places to hear music you'll find anywhere. Great artists, impeccable sound, intimate seating (which gets very chummy for sold-out shows). But the other highlight is the friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere created by Bill & Kitty and kept alive by everyone in the place. Come early for dinner if you have a mind; seating on the patio with a river view goes fast. read more

Great restaurant in a historic building. Food and service was excellent! I had a grilled corned beef and swiss and a sample of mushroom barely soup. Will be back read more

This place is truly a gem. the food is healthy and delicious. The atmosphere is unpretentious, but definitely cool. I also don't think I've ever been disappointed in any of the acts I've seen, even when making a spontaneous visit and not knowing who will be on stage. read more

I went here for the first time with some friends. I tried to order food at 9pm and was told the kitchen was closed. When my friends and I said we'd be back later after getting some food elsewhere, the waitress was extremely rude with us. I don't know what their problem is, but I'm never been treated worse than at this crappy hole in the wall bar. Hopefully they treat their regular customers better. I can't imagine how they stay in business. Never again. read more