My boyfriend and I were in town for the Green Bay Packers home opener and we saw this place and decided to check it out because it was one of the few places in Appleton that wasn't a chain restaurant. I am glad that we made a reservation well in advance because it was homecoming night so the place was crawling with dolled up high-schoolers. The reservation process was through the website and was very simple. We arrived a little early so we hung out at the bar until our table was ready. We each ordered a cocktail and the bartender was super friendly and the drinks were fancy but pretty underwhelming. I ordered the slushy dark and stormy and it felt like mostly ice and my boyfriend's drink was a gin concoction of some sort that was just okay. They have an excellent wine selection so if I ever went back, I'd go that route. The restaurant itself is on multiple levels and overlooks a river of some sort. It was pretty dark so we couldn't really see the water but it was still really pretty. The parking lot was a little tight and I am not sure if they had valet or not so you should prepare to spend a little extra time looking for a spot. The food itself was pretty good. Our server brought some bread out and we started in on that but my boyfriend accidentally knocked it into the floor so we asked for a second one. The first one was warm and tasty but the second one was cold and hard which was disappointing. I ordered the ahi tuna and it was pretty good. My boyfriend got a steak that he really enjoyed. I felt like the menu had a lot to offer. The prices seemed appropriate for the ambience and food selections. The service was mediocre. I realize they were very busy but the service felt really slow. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to people traveling to Appleton who want to try something other than the typical chain restaurants. I would also recommend it for special occasions or romantic dates. read more

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Wonderful food, service, & atmosphere Will go back a second time The domes where a great experience Ease of paying bill also was a plus read more

The river views are great. I highly recommend the Almond Crusted Walleye and a Blue Bobber. Usually I don't prefer fruity beer, but the Blue Bobber was great with dinner. We had a party of four and we were able to talk and hear each other without shouting. Good atmosphere and great food. We didn't eat outside because it was too cold. But they have plenty of outdoor seating. read more

Everything I've ever had on the menu is excellent. Wine list is nice, and the craft cocktails are seasonal and fun. I like that they're open until 9 during the week so I can catch late dinner and a drink after work. Bar and dining area are cozy and intimate with a fabulous view of the water read more

Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant - Bruschetta, white chicken chili, and blueberry basil margarita. Yum! - Bars Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

My wife and I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. We were given the option of sitting in the bar or dining room and we made a great choice with the dining room. We sat by the window looking out toward the river and the autumn colors. Our waitress was Emily who was friendly and efficient. My wife ordered a Sauvignon blanc and I ordered a local beer. Wine was good but not cold enough and the beer was good. My wife ordered a Thai chicken flatbread which was very good and I ordered a seafood po'boy with a cup of white chili. The sandwich was good and the chili was delicious. This is one of the best restaurants in Appleton and we will definitely return. read more

Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

First time back in two years to enjoy a glass of wine and stunning view out the bar windows of the raging Fox River. Our practice had been to not order food after a lackluster menu in the past. Being hungry, listening to the advice of the pleasant bartender, and seeing that the menu had become more interesting.... we ordered some of the mussels on special. They were super good with just the right amount of oil, garlic, and seasoning. Super good. Ok. So we decide to push on. I ordered seared octopus, which was again excellent. Perfect texture, presentation, and prep. My wife stayed more standard with a sandwich which was also tasty. Fratellos has really stepped it up. New Chef obviously, who is doing a nice job adding interest and quality to the menu. What had been a restaurant which maybe leaned a little too much on it's venue (which is superb), now has a kitchen to match. That's a killer app. With these parts in place, Fratellos probably is now the top pick in Aplleton/Fox Valley for special occasions, treating guests visiting town, and just enjoying great beers and small plates while taking in a beautiful view. We will be back. read more

Friday perch fish fry was very nice - perch appeared to be fresh and were moist and not over-breaded. French fries were seasoned nicely. Rye bread was an authentic touch. Portion was generous. Friday salmon special was outstanding! It featured a sweet, spicy, smoky sauce that did not overpower the fish. The "fall" risotto included cranberries, apples and pancetta. The broccoli stalks were slender and tender, but not mushy. Cannolis were a delight - they appeared to be filled with whipped cream, marscapone, and chocolate chips and had a chocolate base underneath the pastry. Much lighter taste than the ricotta-based cannolis we are used to from our decade in New England. Chocolate mousse cake was a bit dry, but it was rescued by the vanilla ice cream on the side. Service was attentive, but not obtrusive. Art on the wall and hanging from the ceiling gives some personal flair. Our table gave a great view of the Fix River - a nice touch. Will return! read more

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I have eaten there many time. Their walleye is outstanding and large. Great pasta dishes. I had a chicken and Brie sandwich last week and I don't know how they could make it taste so good. I've always been happy with their service. Great place to go for birthdays. Of course there is the beautiful view. read more

Enjoyed another great lunch today with family. As always, the service and food we're outstanding! I'd like to give a special shout out to our server Andrea, you were awesome! Thank you for such wonderful service! Together we enjoyed a tasty Ahi Tuna with cucumber salad and soy bean pods! My father had sliced aged turkey on a tomato roll. My brother had the fantastic fish tacos, and my brothers girl friend had the lobster and shrimp po boy! Everything was simply perfect! I had the Green Goddess Chicken sandwiche. Grilled chicken breast, spinach, tomato, white cheddar and green goddess humas served on a jalapeno cheddar hoggie. Yumm! read more

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Solid C+. No linens. Had to ask for drinks. Had to ask for napkins & silverware. The food was old- not fresh mashed potatoes, possibly microwaved from previous evening. My tenderloin was rare on one end and well on the other side. Zero skills from kitchen. $35/entree- they need to up their game. Over priced mocktail- fail . Dessert - canned. Mom said never going back. Drinks & apps only. No salt or pepper. Full bottle of glass Ketchup presented, not in a ramican. Disappointing!!!! Menu was trying to be hip & trendy but the place can not get basics right. Why 4 burgers? No real cheese. Burratta is excellent with pizza or Italian. Have cheddar for a burger, it's WI not LA, NYC, or Chicago. May as well turn the space into a club. It's gorgeous but they sure as hell can't cook or serve! read more

Came for lunch on my friends birthday. Received undercooked food, didn't see our waitress almost whole meal time, so I didn't get to eat, and also got charged for the free birthday cheesecake. Also paid full for my undercooked burger. They gave me one togo to eat later once it was cold and soggy at no discount and with no side since those didn't have an issue to begin with. Disappointed. Isn't this supposed to be fine dining? Horrible fine dining experience and I'm sorry to my friend for having have had such a bad birthday experience at this restaurants read more

Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

The lunch I received yesterday reached a new level of awful. It was the worst dining experience that has happened to me. I ordered the Mushroom & Bacon Alfredo and am unsure how to describe it. It was a mushy mess of soft linguini with uncooked pink bacon with white fat edges (completely uncooked) along with mushrooms, and on the menu, it says it was also supposed to have broccolini I only saw a few limp pale sprigs, but nothing that resembled broccolini. I've had pasta dishes with bacon in them before, such as carbonara, but the bacon is always cooked and the bacon in this dish clearly was not. The dish smelled stinky- like something was off about the meat. I am used to upscale restaurants, and the atmosphere of Fratellos is beautiful, but I deemed this meal unsafe to eat. I accepted a to-go container and I was going to throw it out at home, but it stunk in my vehicle so badly that I had to stop at a gas station to throw it away. Also concerning is that we were served very quickly, and because of the uncooked bacon and mushy pasta, I think it may have been reheated. The dish was a white and pink mushy mess. It was just so bad and a complete waste of money for $24. I will not be returning, and sticking to my favorite restaurants in the Fox cities, Carmella's and Cannova's. I have serious food safety concerns about Fratellos. read more

Ok a real review.... Time: 5:30. I ordered a drink and sat outside for a few minutes enjoying the day.// it was nice. Decided to eat inside. The outside is nice. I waited for a table by the window. Ordered: sirloin and Scallops. Presentation: Amazing as pictured Steak. Cooked to my specs I ordered medium rare (maybe a half a step over so plan accordingly) chef deserves credit though. needed more salt and would bring out a lot of flavor if cooked on a spring of rosemary. The pad of garlic herb butter is perfect don't change it. The cut of meat was too think for this grade of meat. Tenderizing is important and it seems like this might not be a focus in this case. There were several epic bites and there were a few grisly bites that tired out my jaw. Other wise if we are weighing cost vs taste this was a nice steak. Perhaps move to a Ny strip? It's not as thick but it may be better. not sure how to cost vs profit would roll out I know this is a college town so it may not be worth it based on demand. Mashed potatoes: lots and lots of garlic... which would have been fine with more salt and add 1.5 tbs butter and 2 tbs cream cheese and 1tbs sour cream and some fresh parsley to each serving. This will add to the richness.... All in all the garlic stood out too abrasively but it wasn't terrible (I have had much worse). The temp on these was much cooler (not cold) than the rest of the food. This is simply an assembly issue. Just leave everything in its place until the steak is set. Don't pre prepare the plate. Asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Use Darker asparagus otherwise do...not..change. Just Fabulous. The firmness of the asparagus vs the pop of the tomatoes is epic. This was very well done!! The different cooking times and perfection of the end result is a testament to kitchen timing. Impressive....I challenge you to use the tomatoes whole... the pop of a perfectly cooked cherry Tom is amazing. Scallops: good. Could be a little crispier on the top. A tiny bit chewy o the inside. Other wise just a bit more salt. This is just a low cook for a few and then a quick super hot sear. These were good though. Scallops are a difficult cook cuz of the different sizes and such missing a bit of flavor but over all very good. Staff: well, just lovely. Waiter was training a newbie. She was eager to learn and he seemed prepared to teach. Better to announce names. "I am name and I am your service tonight... this is name and she is an aspiring part of this team, we are happy to serve you"... blah blah something.... Just introduce the trainee. Very polite and kind and fun... they engaged my banter and laughed at my jokes. Names Matt trainer and Eden trainee. Bar: excellent ambiance I mean.... Really nice.... Music was out the night I was there. Bartender was a good personality read...stayed back from people that were not interested in engagement and jumped at those that were. His name was Jake. Good strong bartender. Kind and polite. Know lately about the drinks and menu. Fielded lots of customer questions. Keep this one. Ambiance: well just epic... the sound damping provided by the upper floor being carpeted is great.... Other wise it would be too loud... I loved to lower floors closer to the water... the only suggestion is clean the windows every day. Really...everyday until it snows. This is your best feature and some people are super grossed out by spiders and bugs. Compared to other spots in Appleton I give this place a 10 overall. Across the state and 9 and compared to restaurants across the county/world... a 7. This rating is based on my exp with my particular dish. read more

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Great location and wonderful food! The service has always been great. Take a walk down the parking lot and check out the history of Appleton! read more

Tried for dinner again after a number of years (after the J's - Fratellos transition). Big upgrade in food quality since last try. I had the short ribs over noodles, wife had the crusted walleye...excellent. Stunning view over the Fox River dam from huge windows in repurposed old stone mill. The food is now more on par with the outstanding venue. Recommend read more

Nice location and attentive staff. We were on the patio Friday night and there is very little light. The umbrellas need to have lights or some type of battery operated light on the table. We ordered drinks before our meal and they were good. Ordered the filet with a side salad and was very disappointed. The mashed potatos came out cold and the meat was chewy, not tender and bland. The salad with ranch was good but overall I was disappointed. read more

Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant - a sign for fratellos waterfront restaurant - Bars Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

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I've frequented this Fratellos' location in Appleton for the past few years. I've been with large groups (over 20) for parties and small groups for dates - this is a great location for all! A bit slower service for larger groups - but that's to be expected at any restaurant! Love the great service and food. Great for romantic dinners with a candle on each table and darker lighting. The window seats near the locks have such a great view any time of day! Pretty good brunch menu - if only the mimosas were bottomless! I visited last night with a few girlfriends for drinks. We came right after work and were easily able to find a seat at the bar and order drinks right away. The Blueberry Rum Smash was a HUGE success - fresh muddled blueberries mixed in gave it great flavor. The Blu Bobber is always a good second option too. Last night we ordered pork belly flatbread, bruschetta chicken bowl, and Fish Tacos w/ coleslaw - good tacos, a little heavy on the spinach for me, and coleslaw had too many onions but fish was cooked perfectly and the dish had great flavor! We all cleared our plates! Pretty reasonably priced items and a great variety for any large group. If you've got picky eaters - the Cap'n Crunch Chicken Tenders (from app menu) is a great choice! read more

First its Riverfront views in a beautiful historical retired power plant. The staff was very friendly. I had the walleye it was fabulous

Why did we come here? Walleye and Perch. AT least as soon as my DC saw they had these on line and it had been years since she had them, we were coming here no matter what! Luckily they did a great job on both of these local favorites. These are both things we can't get a home, so local treats! We actually went here twice while we were in town and both meals were yummy. First go around was the walleye on the menu and the rigatoni pasta. Fish was nicely cooked, seasoned properly and a nice treat. Plus the potatoes that came with it were excellent. The pasta was cooked properly and the sausage was very nice. A great dish for a cold night. The second time around was a walleye special, which was cooked differently than the regular menu and the perch. The valley had a nut crust and mustard sauce on it and I really enjoyed that. the DC said the perch were supper yummy as well. Just a basic cornmeal fry but when done right ever so good. Nice selection of wine, a great view of the water and good service. Very much enjoyed dinner here. IT was wacky though to see a few "birthday" desserts go out with fireworks/sparkalers on top. Visually stunning, but released gunpowder fumes that were less enjoyable, especially when we could smell them tables away. But you know, sparklers! read more

Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

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I recently moved to the area and Fratellos was one of the first places I tried. Wonderful recommendation! Each time I've been to Fratellos, I've been very happy with my service. Food is quick to come out, fresh, great tasting, and all wait staff have been great. The ambiance is wonderful, my favorite place is on the lower deck to the left side watching the river run beneath me. Always our favorite to take friends and family when they visit. read more

Happy to learn that you are open on Monday. We will call Monday 9/26/22 ~ we would like a table for 9 of us at 6 pm.

Food was very good. They have a different spin on entres. Staff is very good. And the view is amazing.

Diver scallops were awesome! Our group of 9 had no complaints. Good Ole Fashions also!

The boyfriend and I came here this past weekend with a local couple. Sat outside. We were really excited from looking at the pictures and previous reviews. Overall, the experience was decent but we left a little disappointed. The outdoor seating was great and so was our server. The bruschetta and crispy tender appetizers we ordered were delicious. However, they were out of Macallan 12 year whiskey and no longer had the seared ahi tuna I had my heart (and stomach) set on. My bf ordered the filet mignon entree medium and it came well done (womp womp). I ordered the chicken piccata along with an old fashioned and both were good. I have a feeling the pandemic limited their menu and selection, but the overcooking of the steak was def a bummer. Hopefully if we're back in town we can give Fratellos another shot. read more

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Excellent food, especially the cheese curds and Walleye. Friendly service. Riverfront ambience. Fine dining experience worth every penny.

Took our new college students for a last meal here and loved it! The view was amazing, the dining room in beautiful with amazing glass art pieces and lamps throughout. We ordered a bottle of wine and was asked if we wanted it decanted. We said yes but had no idea we would get such a show. They came out with this glass contraption that they poured the wine over a glass ball and it became a funnel to fill up your glass. We'd never seen this before. We ordered appetizers of cheese curds and the Big Dip, which is actually three dips and pita bread. All were very good as was the wine. For entrees they recommended the walleye, which three of us had and thoroughly enjoyed, served alongside red potatoes and green beans. The girls had pasta dishes which they both enjoyed. We stopped in the bar as well as it was beautiful. The building used to be a power plant so next to the exposed brick and metal were some coils as decor to harken back to that time. A completely charming experience from ambiance to food to service. We will definitely be back! read more

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The service was great. We had chicken piccata and pasta bolognese. Both were quite good. Side salad and bread were extra charge. Skip the salad. Portions were not huge but filling. Would have to say when we were there (530 on a Friday) that the music and volume of the music did not suit the clientele. The view of the river is amazing. read more

During covid. First time here. Anniversary dinner. Waiter, Jake was fun and accommodating. Dinner was great, we both ordered the scallops and steak. One of our steaks was a little tough, but cooked how we like it, med-rare. Could have just been that cut. The other steak was perfect. Scallops were cooked perfectly! Very good dinner. Sat by the window, watched the river and birds. It was a great time. Thanks! read more

Ugh... Came in on Memorial Day, no one at the bar, asked them to turn the Brewer Game on & they finally between two of them figured that out. Next, we just sit there, well thanks for turning the TV on for us. Guessing I would have watched it at home if I knew no one was going to ask us for a drink??? Seriously, only ones in the bar & we have to ask. The "lead" bartender was writing notes for the guys who didn't close correctly the night before. Excuse me miss, can I have your pad & paper & write notes on how you serve people. Of course I would never write this if the bar service wasn't consistently horrible & the bartenders never change & management never cares. Why do I go back? Walking distance from my house, serves champagne & a killer view. Let's get it together management! read more

Our party of 5 walked in for a later reservation on a Friday evening. While we waited for our table, we ordered drinks at the bar and appreciated the view of the river. The restaurant has high ceilings, modern art, and a very "open" feel. To start, we ordered the Big Dip and Cheese Curds. The Big Dip had a savory spinach & artichoke dip and your standard hummus and bruschetta. It's a good choice to appease all different tastes. Cheese curds were pretty good, with a crispy outside and gooey center. The entrees stole the show. I ordered the steak salad and enjoyed the medium-rare steak and accompanied dressing. The other members of my party ordered the Seared Scallops and Fish Fry. They had nothing but good things to say. We finished dinner with the banana chocolate cake and it was sweet, rich, and delicious. Our waiter was extremely attentive and made sure our waters were filled and that we never needed anything. It also wasn't too loud to where we couldn't hear each other. I'm excited to return! read more

The food is usually good, the service very nice, and the setting excellent - it is right on the river and near one of the dams, so there are lots of water birds plucking fish out of the water. We use it for family outings with kids and older adults. I might mention that the bar has a lot of original art on the walls. read more

The setting on the water is just part of the attraction of this restaurant . The service is top notch and attentive. The food menu includes cheese curd appetizers which were delicious. Our table's entrees included pecan crusted Walleye and grilled salmon, each prepared very well. I highly recommend Fratello's. read more

Our server, Amanda, was attentive and helpful from the moment we were seated. Our appetizer, soups, and entrees were fabulous. Amanda offered great alcohol options and didn't steer us wrong! We'll be back ! read more

We were in town visiting the college and had dinner at Fratello's. We enjoyed everything about the meal - great cocktails, delicious appetizers and entrees, good wine list. All in a very nice setting by the river. We were a bit casual (traveling clothes) but did not feel out of place. There were folks dressed up and patrons dressed casually, didn't seem like there was as a "formal" dress code. And it was within walking distance of our hotel downtown (Copperleaf). Would definitely recommend. read more

Really pretty view and some great food as well! I had the Crunch Chicken Salad and it was delish! My co-workers had the lunch portion Friday Perch Fry and they raved about it! We sat at the bar and the bartender made us some really good non-alcoholic drinks. I would definitely recommend them! read more

Food was very good. We were totally ignored at out door restaurant had to go inside for seating and dinner

Great outdoor patio and a decent selection of craft brews. Craft brews are really good. Food is pretty average but the amosphere inside and on the patio is really nice... especially during the summer. The service was very attentive. read more

Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant - A view of the fox river and the dam from the patio. - Bars Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin

Wonderful wait staff fantastic food service and ambiance. Definitely a must if you are in town.

Very nice view of the Fox River. Great ambiance and services. I had the "black and white" for dinner, which is blanked grilled fish on top of a bed of salad with feta cheese. Very healthy and refresh. read more

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My boyfriend and I were visiting family and were surprised to find a place to eat with a few vegetarian and vegan options in Appleton. The roasted vegetable tacos we both got were so delicious, and on top of the tasty food, Fratellos also has a great beer selection. The pic I'm posting is dark because we ate outside on their patio, but the view of the sunset and river was well worth the dark photo. 10/10 would recommend. read more

Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant - Vegan Roasted Vegetable Tacos - Bars Near Me - Appleton, Wisconsin