Run don't walk to Lola's to try their Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich before their menu changes for the summer. I kid you not, I visited the restaurant twice within 24 hours after having one for the first time. One of the best meals I've had in Madison in a while! As always, great vibes, lovely staff, and dope tunes. read more

Lola’s - Korean fried chicken sandwich - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Went here for the first time on a Saturday evening for a Girls' Night Out, and it was so amazing! I loved the lighting, the decor, and overall it was giving "cozy cocktail lounge with a bit of class". Our server was so kind, she made sure that we were well taken care of, and checked in every so often to see if we wanted any more drinks. But the food-- wow! It was so delicious and I don't think I've had better cheese curds than at Lola's. The cheesiness and crunch were perfect, and it was not too hot to burn your mouth. Everything we ordered was so good, and the Pelmeni was super flavorful. I wish we had more rangoons, but I have no complaints about the food. Passionstar Martini was the best drink we ordered here. I definitely can see myself coming back here for another fun night Only downside about this place is that there are only 2 bathrooms (yes, single-person bathrooms) throughout the entire establishment. It gets a little crowded waiting for it, but otherwise everything else was amazing. read more

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Invited by my friend Marianna! We walked in and I exclaimed "This is the Best kept secret in Madison!" The Decor tho!!! We'll be BACK!!In read more

Went here on a Monday night to grab some dinner and drinks. We ended up sitting at the bar and the bartender was quick to grab our drink orders. Unfortunately they were out of the one mocktail that I ordered, so I ended up getting the Horse Gurl. Not like any other mocktail I've ever had, but was pretty tasty. We also got the stereo pairing which was quite refreshing. As for food, we ordered the French onion soup and the vegan kofta for appetizers and the hot ham and Swiss sandwich to split. Sad to say the soup was a miss for us. The croutons were burnt on top and I didn't think the bread type paired well with the soup base, which also wasn't super rich like some other French onion soups I've had. My friend really liked the vegan kofta, especially the sauce. The ham and Swiss was a nice take on this sandwich and the fries were perfectly crisp on the outside and pretty salty. The ketchup they're served with is also unique with some additional seasoning than your standard. Overall, this trip wasn't as successful for me as the other times we've been here. Given that, I'd probably go back to ordering the pizzas and chicken dumplings that were pretty tasty in the past. read more

Lola’s - French onion soup - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I'll be upfront: I don't come to Lola's for the food--I come for the atmosphere, the vinyl of the night, and seasonally crafted cocktails. Sure, I've sampled the menu, but it's the vinyl soundtrack that keep me coming back (Stones vs Beatles night FTW!). Every visit feels like a new chapter in my Lola's story. This little strip mall slice of hi/lo culture is the pinnacle of retro charm meets cool, laid-back energy. Whether I'm one of a smaller crowd on a weeknight, squeezing in among the weekend crowd on a Friday, or wrapping up a Saturday night at closing time, Lola's is my scene. I've brought several friends here, locals as well as associates visiting from Alabama and New York, and I always encourage a round of spinning the roulette wheel! Lola's has even led me to a new side quest: finding other spots with vinyl on the turntable while traveling the US--but no place has yet come close to Lola's unique groove. Lola's remains what I try to find elsewhere, a charm that remains elusive. If you're looking for a place to sip a classic cocktail, discover a new seasonal concoction, or listen to a live DJ spin whatever's on the menu for that night (check the website and socials for the schedule), bookmark this review--Lola's is the place. Lola's, never change. You *are* the epitome of vibe! read more

What an amazing place! I visited this spot with my BFF and the vibes here were similar to that of a speakeasy. We both shared the deviled egg appetizer which was delicious. I ordered the Dan Dan noodles which were a 4/5 paired with a martini which was a 5/5. Overall, great place to have drinks and have dinner. I suggest arriving early because this place gets packed in the night! read more

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Very cool atmosphere, drinks were great, food was far better than I expected. I had the Nashville hot Mac and cheese. Service was excellent as well. read more

Came here on the recommendation of a friend, and he didn't let me down. Love the throwback decor of this lounge, and the fact that the food and drink are excellent makes it even better. The drinks were spot on -- next time, I would probably sit at the bar and learn a little more about the personalities behind it, as they seem to be having a ton of fun while making exceptional drinks. The food was delicious, especially the Sichuan chicken dumplings and the spicy popcorn. I wouldn't usually have ordered the popcorn, but my friend said not to miss it! Homemade Dorito seasoning on popcorn? Yes please. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Think this might be one of my favorite Madison area date spots - the records and the lighting made it feel super classy and the service with it too! We just got appetizers but they were so delicious - I'm gonna dream about the arancini read more

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We had a great girls night here! The ambiance is perfect for it. Perfect lighting and loved the vinyls they were playing. Drinks were all so tasty and well made. We shared some apps and I definitely recommend the cauliflower one!!! I'm not even a fan normally but WOW. All the meals were filling and we had no complaints. Our server was friendly and all the food came out on time. I will definitely be back whether it's for drinks or food! I love the eclectic menu. A little bit of something for everyone!! read more

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1 year later and this place is still incredible. Their menu rotates seasonally and it's so fun trying something new every time I visit. This visit I tried their sour, chicky parm, and icebox cake and holy canole it was 10/10. The sour was lightly salted and perfectly balanced, the icebox cake was refreshing and delicate and the chicky parm...well I'll be thinking about this sandwich for years to come. The vegetarian chicken substitute was so good I had to have my friends try it to confirm it was in fact vegetarian. Everything about it was perfection including the fries, would highly recommend getting an extra side of the pesto sauce for dipping. The ambiance in this place is so dang cool, retro and romantic. The service is excellent and prompt and I really can't say enough nice things about Lola's. Can't wait to try their summer menu! read more

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super fun vinyl lounge! I loved the decor and ambience here, on a rainy Friday night it really brought life back to our day. We waited about 45 min for a table, but it was well worth the wait. The arancini was delicious!! and the pork and crab dumplings were also quite good, i only wish there was more of the masaman curry sauce. We were surprised by the margarita pizza, it wasn't what we were expecting since it had no sauce and whole slices of tomato instead. I'd definitely come back to try more drinks and dishes! read more

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Lola's is such a great addition to Madison's cocktail, dining & music scene. I have celebrated birthdays & other special occasions here & never been disappointed. The staff is fun & attentive, the retro vibe & music are both amazing & the menu is fun & creative. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, treat yourself soon! And if there's a wait - go to Bear and Bottle for a drink & Lola's will text you when your table is ready. read more

Lola’s - Amazing cocktail selection - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Stepping into Lola's is such a fun surprise. Strip mall on the outside, but swanky, cozy, and fun inside. Knowing the bar is modeled after a a real woman (Lola) and bar in small-town WI makes it even more fun. We've visited Lola's a number of times, with a variety of different groups and people. Spinning the wheel is always a hit, and makes a visit even more fun. Please don't go to Lola's without spinning the wheel. We have consistently experienced excellent bar service, and great drinks. The tequila-based espresso martini that is currently on their menu is not to be overlooked. It's delicious. They also offer a number of mocktails, which I have also enjoyed. The only reason I am giving four stars is that food has been inconsistent. I do recommend their pizzas, as we have most often enjoyed the ones we have ordered. The flaming cheese is also a fun appetizer. Unfortunately the pastas we have ordered have left something to be desired. Those with food allergies will be happy to see that Lola's menu notes whether meals are vegan, vegetarian, contain nuts, or gluten. They also indicate if there are substitutions available to make the item vegetarian, gluten free, etc. read more

Lola’s - Queso Flamedo - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I was really impressed by the hidden swankiness of Lola's upon my first visit. I live nearby and had seen Lola's pop up, but there is a transformation that takes place when you go from the outside at a shopping plaza to the entranceway and then finally to the retro, moody interior. My family decided to choose whatever interested us on the menu, and then share bites amongst ourselves. We shared the yaki udon and the spicy dandan, as well as the Chinese pork and chive dumplings and of course the chocolate budino. The noodle dishes immediately put Lola's on the "must return" list - They were tasty and had a kick, and we all poked our forks around for the last bites. The dumplings were delicious with a bit of chili crunch. The chocolate budino was the perfect sweet tooth ending to the meal. As far as drinks, I was able to try the Spin Class mocktail, which was refreshing and a true, complex mocktail. I had the Stereo Pearing which I loved - It had a sweetness to it without being overpearing (see what I did there?!). I can't wait to return, especially for some of Lola's fun events that I see on their events calendar. read more

I'm such a fan of this place! I realize it got a lot of hype really quickly and can lose some of its glamour after waiting an hour but all I can say is VIBES. I've been here twice. Once with some girlfriends and once with the Fiance. Both were awesome and both were crowded! This place is ever popular and I feel like will remain so, even during the week given their fun music options! But truly you are transported. Classic, classy, vintage. The drinks are great! Tho I must say... I really like Charlie Berens but his brandy is not it. So stick with the cocktails on the original curated menu. Food wise, I've only split apps. They were good and filling! I did see some folks order "entrees" and they looked small. So take note. Come here for a pre dinner drink or an after dinner celebration! Happy vibing! read more

Lola’s - Corner booth seating against a cool vintage record wall. Sit on the other side of the restaurant- at the bar or high tables - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I really enjoyed the spot! Great vibes, fun drinks, and an expansive menu, there's probably something for everyone! Pizza, noodles, burgers, dumplings -- idk how they do it all. The pizza was delicious and I can't wait to come visit again to try something new! read more

Lola’s - Chicken tikka pizza - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I've been to Lola's three times now and each visit has been the same. Spectacular vibes and atmosphere, delicious cocktails, and just okay service and food. My first visit was for a Friday fish fry and the fish came out cold and soggy, which was a huge surprise. It was the special so I don't know that happened. We did have to wait a long time for it so I wonder if they made too much right away and then it sat. We also had some dumplings and they were just okay. My second visit was just to hang out at the bar with a friend for drinks and it was great, although it took a bit to get the attention of the bartenders even though we were seated right in front of them. My third visit was this past week and my experience was similar to the others. I had a non-alcoholic cocktail this time and it was delicious, my friend even liked it more than her alcoholic one. We also ordered the late nite tacos, cheese curds, and veggie rangoons. The tacos could use another ingredient or two for flavor. The cheese curds were way to much for two people, and surprisingly soggy. The veggie rangoons were delicious at first, then at the bottom of the bowl a few of them were just floating in the sauce and were extremely cold and soggy by the time we got to them. This dish needs to be served a different way to eliminate that problem. Maybe ask for the sauce on the side to save yourself! Again even while sitting at the bar it took way too long to get the bartender's attention whenever we wanted to order more. We even asked for a late night taco menu and then had to flag another person down because nobody stopped to take our taco order. I'm sure I'll be back again as I do enjoy the atmosphere, I just hope I can find the right food to order and hope service while sitting at the bar can improve. read more

Lola’s - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The menu here is unique. I won't lie it shocked me to see how eclectic it was. But everything was delicious. I had the mushroom pizza and it was delish. Not the best mushroom pizza I've ever had, but still pretty good. The app we got is the queso and chips. I loved that they lit it on fire. We love dinner and a show. Drinks were tasty too. Lots of variety and good ingredients. The atmosphere was so good. I loved how beautiful set up. It was a good date night experience. read more

Lolas is a VIBE! Such a cool place with an incredible atmosphere. Great funky jazz music was being spun by a live DJ, the servers all in black collared shirts, and walls lined with hundreds of old school records! On most days of the week they have DJs come in and spin different genre's of records, from blues to jazz to afrobeats and Motown. It's a place where you can get dolled up and fancy, or come as you are in sweats or jeans and a t-shirt. It has that feel, and you will see dressed up folks and others that are in comfy clothes. The eclectic menu reflects this same range: fancy cocktails next to cheap beer. Pizza and dumplings next to pasta and deviled eggs. It's a rangy menu for sure and there were a few hits and a miss on our visit. We tried the burger, dumplings and cheese curds. Dumplings had a delicious spicy sauce and were cooked to perfection. The curds were breaded and fried and were delicious. The burger was average and the patty looked processed. The pizza looked awesome, and it seemed like a lot of people were getting it so that will be the next thing we try. Did they any of the cocktails but they looked amazing. I got a $4 Schlitz. I would say this is a perfect late night spot to get a bite and have a nice cocktail. Cool setting, decent food and solid service. A fun addition to a non descript strip mall. read more

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The draw to Lola's was the music and cocktails for me. I really enjoyed the statue day night disco funk and 90s music in the background as friends and I enjoyed some cocktails and social time. The vibe is really laid back and has a flair of fancy and Wisconsin all in one. The gin and phonics is a fruity combination that is light and refreshing. Perfect for hot summer nights! We ordered some dishes including the burrata, dumplings and fries. The burrata was fresh however a little more band. It could benefit from some fresh basil, balsamic or other flavors. The pork and chive dumplings come in a bowl with a chili type sauce. I prefer to have the sauce o. The side and areas I like and if you don't enjoy spicy be sure to ask for that on the side. While not on the menu, unless we missed it, you can order a side of fries. I tried a couple and they did not disappoint. read more

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Our waitress was great but that's about it. The gnocchi were not gnocchi. They were deep fried potato balls with cheese in them? Unsure but they were the strangest gummy texture that was just really unpleasant. The sauce couldn't save it either it was very bland but also tasted green in a bad way. The portion sizes were minuscule. The dumplings were floating in a soup but were some reason hard and tasteless. The midnight pasta was made better by the lemon to cut through the heavy sauce, but otherwise the pasta was overcooked. read more

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Excellent option for food with fun swanky vibes. The interior of Lola's is thoughtfully designed to create a fun vintage lounger that still feels modern at the same time. I went on a Tuesday night with my friend to take advantage of their date special which includes a bottle of wine, pizza, and dumplings for $60. For dumplings, we chose the veggie ragoons, loved these! I am a sucker for a ragoon these are vegetarian and come served in a chili sauce. When we got to the last one it was swimming in the sauce but this did not bother me, I love a saucy dish. The pizza we decided on was the Prosciutto, which includes prosciutto, 'nduja, red onion, ricotta, mozzarella, hot honey, and red sauce. This sounds like a lot but I loved it. Sweet, spicy, and creamy, yum! We chose an Italian white wine our bartender helpfully recommended that paired well with our food. Though a dessert wasn't included we got the Dulce De Leche Blondie, which was amazing! 10/10 would recommend! It has a sweet caramel miso brownie, vanilla ice cream, and spiced pretzel. Such a lovely flavor combination. Both my friend and I agreed we would come back for date night or another night of the week. read more

Lola’s - Veggie Ragoons - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Pros: Great vibe and interior design, perfect for people who are interested in an interesting cocktail menu. This is not a family venue. Cons: Limited food menu. If you have high blood pressure, or want to avoid developing it, do not order the fried cheese curds, french fries, burgers or chopped salad - they were all astonishingly salty. The best word I can use to describe the service is 'ennui'. We were ignored much of the time, and an item was left out of our order - which was fine given the salt content. If you are under 40, relatively hip and looking for a place to hang out and drink, this is your spot. Unfortunately we made a bad call. read more

This space is a VIBE and I'm so here for it. Once you walk in you're transported to the 60s with beautiful fixtures and velvet everywhere. We were seated in the Maryland room which is super cozy and great for being able to have a conversation! Our waitress was super attentive and friendly, and the menu is eclectic but great! We loved the passion star martinis - not too sweet and I really liked that I could actually taste the vanilla. For dinner, we got cheese curds (delicious), pork dumplings (just okay), and the tikka masala pizza (surprising in a great way - lots of fresh ingredients!). The churros for dessert were phenomenal - I could swim in the chocolate espresso sauce. Definitely recommend for a fun date night! read more

What fun, beautifully decorated, retro and vibey. We had a booth for 6 of us. We all played the spinning wheel behind the bar before getting settled, no-one won but what a fun idea. The pot gets bigger as the night goes on. We had a table full of spicy popcorn and devilled eggs to get us going and around of Brandy Old Fashioned (sour). It's the must do drink when on vacay in Wisconsin and this was the best of a 3 week trip. We had a couple of pizzas and plates of noodles and were all full but not too full to split a couple of house made churros. Food and drink exceeded expections as did atmosphere. The Marilyn Wallpaper is spectacular. Service was good and confident, yes they know they are good. Prices were A-OK We had gone earlier in the week to St Nazianz to see the real Lola at Lolas Tom Kat but sadly it was closed as Lola had had a fall. This Lolas was a great homage to its inspiration further North. read more

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Great atmosphere, great service and food. The salad and cheese curds were a great start for the main dinner read more

Lola’s - Semi private dining area - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great ambiance and wonderful food! Waitstaff was so very attentive. Loved the chicken dumplings, spicy popcorn, and Kathylicious pizza! Will be back of course! read more

The food was delicious and service was amazing. The vibe of the restaurant was like taking a step back in time and going to a speakeasy. read more

Lola’s - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I checked Yelp to find a new (to me) restaurant in Madison and I found Lola's. Am I glad I did! We brought my son and his wife there for their 17th anniversary. We were seated outside as there was a LONG waiting list at 6 PM on a Saturday night. Now I know why. Lola's is hip, it's trendy, it's where to be! The menu selection is awesome, the drinks are amazing and dessert, well, you'll just have to try them to believe. We actually stayed outside to eat. It was a beautiful evening and I will say this, it can be rather loud inside. We finally did venture inside to see the cool decor and the Marilyn Monroe wallpaper in the kitchy women's restroom. This is definitely a place I'd like to come back to. read more

Lola's is located a bit out of the way near the Madison airport and set within a strip mall, so I really wasn't sure what to expect here. I've heard so many great things so I decided to check it out and was not disappointed. The ambience is unreal. If you appreciate a retro, moody vibe you'll love it. We sat at the bar for a few drinks and soaked up the interior. Would love to come back in the future for a dinning experience! read more

Lola’s - Bar - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Visited Lola's for the first time on a Saturday night with a party of 3. We were seated immediately when we arrived at 9:30 pm. The venue was really cool - dimly lit lights with lively music. Lola's had a really cool vibe to it, different from a lot of other cocktail bars in Madison. The bar had a nice old school diner feel to it with speakeasy lighting. We ordered their seasonal cocktails and they were pretty good - the cocktails were reasonably priced at $14 each. We weren't expecting to get food that evening, but had to try their cheese curds when we saw it on the menu. The cheese curds were really good! They are breaded with panko which offered a nice crunch and texture to the hot gooey cheese. Overall, solid spot for drinks - would return! read more

Lola’s - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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We've been reading about this place for months and knew it was the place to be. It is hot property and we have heard about 3 hour waits. So we went at 4:30pm on a weeknight and found that almost all of the tables were full though we were able to get a good booth. This place is all about a hip environment and it certainly delivers. Even the staff is hip. We started with a couple of their fancy cocktails like the sidecar and the cool runnings. Both were very tasty and of course very pricey. You know they are making big bucks on the drinks when they are almost the same price as most of their food items. We got an order of cheese curds - some of the better we have had in town and some of their spicy popcorn. For my main I got the fried chicken sandwich which was solid and came with a side of curly fries. Others got the midnight pasta which had a bit of a kick and got a thumbs up. The chili dog was also a hit. Overall it is worth a stop if for nothing else to see the fun decor and to enjoy the vibe. read more

Wonderful ambience. Vintage feel with excellent music. The drinks were incredible as was the service. I definitely recommend the pelmeni. Was too busy eating to take a picture, but it was delicious. The vegetable dumplings were also very tasty. Check Lola's out for a fun evening. read more

Lola’s - Spicy popcorn - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Such a great atmosphere! Lola's is a beautiful place filled with culture and art -- it really sets the mood for a memorable meal. The food was amazing from start to finish. We started with the dumplings for an appetizer -- so tasty! For our main course, we had the sandwiches and a bowl of noodles, and both were delicious with just the right amount of spice. Highly recommend if you're looking for a place with great vibes and incredible food! read more

The ambiance of this place is amazing. I loved the little booths we were in and everything was very fun. The staff is amazing and very friendly. My girlfriend had the burger and said it was good, but nothing to write home about. I had the red Thai curry and it was sold as being super spicy. I was excited, but what I got was a bow of noodles with mushy veggies and all I could taste was curry and salt. It wasn't spicy, just salty. We also ordered the deviled eggs which were good and the dumplings which I would stay away from as the wrappers were very thick and all I could taste was the chili oil. I so want to give this place another try, but with the food combined with the price it may take a bit longer to come back for food. For drinks this place is most like a good place to try. read more

Lola’s - Sign - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The food here and overall ambiance is AMAZINGGG! 10/10 recommend. Great date night location with a fun vibe. Exceptional food and cocktails. read more

Lola’s - The spring pesto pasta - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This is a busy new spot with a very different vibe. Friendly wait staff, good cocktails and tasty food. The black out curtains make it very private. Music is at the perfect level to keep a conversation without shouting or overhearing conversations nearby. There is a huge parking but can fill up quick. They have an entertainment schedule for certain nights where all sorts of djs (funk, reggae, jazz) play great tunes to accompany the great food and drink. The chicken burger was flavorful and the chicken moist. Great portion size. The sweet potato bacon pizza was a perfect thin crust with that wood fire oven char. Excellent drinks. I will be returning for the late night! read more

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I feel like they are falling off the popularity scale? Too much new staff, and the old staff seem to have disappeared, hopefully the pizza I ordered will be good. Well that didn't work, the pizza was not the one that I ordered , and they would not remake it! Note to self, never eat there again! read more

I came here with a group of friends on a weekday night. It had opened somewhat recently so it was pretty busy but we came early to make sure we got seated quickly. The service was good and staff was friendly. While the interior vibe and decor is not totally my thing, it is definitely unique and well done. I appreciate it for what it is and would definitely say it's worth checking out. Based on their seemingly continued popularity, I'd say most people are all about it. All of our drinks were very good. I'm not usually a cocktail person but figured I had to try one given people's reviews. I can't remember which I got but it was something with brandy in it. It was too sweet for my taste, but certainly not bad (I finished it). A lot of people in the group ordered pizzas and felt all of them were delicious. I ordered the Chinese Pork & Chives dumplings. Well plated. I didn't love them, thought the flavor was a bit bland, but again, finished them. Overall, I'm just not into loud, crowded places and Lola's is just that. People really seem to like it, and it's filling a niche in the neighborhood for sure, so I highly recommend going and deciding for yourself. read more

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