This is and will remain my favorite bar/restaurant/hangout in Madison, until further notice. The BEST date place, unless of course you're dating some hoity toity fancy person. The best ambiance. I love the dark factor. 9 times out of 10 there's an excellent dj. Pizza gets an A+, mussels as well. It's not on the menu anymore but you can still order their Key Lime martini...and it's amazing. read more

Great food and ambiance. All the food on the menu is great buy definitely get the Shu Mai and Three Cup Chicken. For drinks try one of their specialty cocktails and get a shot of the house infused coffee vodka. Cash only read more

Good food, but I can't give it any higher than 3 stars because of the weird ass music the DJs play.

The above rating applies to only the issue discussed here. On a recent return visit, I was crestfallen to learn that the DJ was using patrons as guinea pigs for his own sadistic experiment in inappropriately loud volumes of his own personal selection of garbage disguised as music. Granted, it was around 10pm, but someone needs to exert a little quality control on the aural environment side of this venue. read more

The after hours bartender grossly underserved us & he physically assaulted my friend to the point where she was bleeding. Rather than apologizing he only offered her more shots. It made me so reluctant I can't wait to come back. read more

Freaking awesome! Decent food. Great drinks! I'm in a skip a beat. I will come back here in a minute!

A very odd place in downtown Madison. I would expect it to be on State street nearer the campus. Without the address you would miss this place. It has been a long time since I saw a bar/restaurant without their name visible. The menu is odd but the food is good. Friendly staff. read more

Stopped in for a few drinks with a good friend and immediately felt at home. The place was busy, Sat night in the city and all, but tables were cleared quickly as people finished eating. We decided to wait for a seat at the bar. Loved the open concept and exposed kitchen next to the bar. Mood was relaxed, music was good. Noticed that there was a spot for a DJ overlooking the lower part of the space. Would definitely go back. read more

I have visited Madison a handful times now, and each time I make a point to eat at Natt Spil. The service is genuine, the environment is quaint, and the food is fantastic. I recommend the mussels to start, and you MUST have Dave O's Roast Pork Sandwich. We happened to be there at a time when Dave was working, and I literally thought about asking for his phone number so we could hang out. He has a great taste in music too. GO TO NATT SPIL read more

Try the lemongrass and ginger-infused vodka! Coming from Milwaukee, I didn't find this place all that hip and pretentious at all. I actually really liked the atmosphere - although I probably wouldn't chose to dine there considering how loud, crowded and tiny it is. Great for a few drinks though! read more

Disclaimer: I have some bad memories of this place because of a person with whom I frequented this place several times. Despite this, there was much that I liked about the place. The drink menu is interesting and includes several "off the beaten path" drinks. When there is a live DJ, the music is very good. The major problem is that it is a small place with many patrons, so finding a seat may be difficult. Also, the rather dark atmosphere is something that could turn people off, although some people may really like it. Given the possibility of going with a different person who isn't trying to control and dictate my life, yes, I would come back again. Oh yeah, that and being able to be in Madison, which I unfortunately no longer am at this time. read more

I've been coming to Natt Spil for a couple years now. Just about every time, I say that I'll never come back. But my decision to come back is fueled by the one or two times I've been here and LOVED it. Welp, that last time is it! The good: It's a cool looking spot and is definitely unique. The cocktail menu is great!!! The bad: First off, it's a hard spot to bring a lot of people. Their menu is sparse and consists of about 4 pizzas, a weird assortment of appetizers, and chicken with rice. Food quality and preparation is not consistent. One day you order something and it is fantastic. The next day you order the same thing, and it's too spicy to eat and just terrible. The worst of the worst is the service. Last night our server all but forgot about us. Dropped off our food and didn't come back till she dropped off the bill... Would have been nice if she came back to check on the food or offer more cocktails. One of our appetizers was so spicy hot, it was inedible and just sat, pretty much untouched, for the duration of our time there. The waitress. was very flip, rude, and looked like she just rolled out of bed (a real greasy one). When I look back on other times at Natt Spil the less than friendly service always sticks out in my mind. A feeling of superiority always seems thick. The service is the main reason I'll never go back or suggest Natt Spil again. read more

I have always had a good time here, but the slow service and unattentive bartenders always end with me standing with my hand on my hips not knowing why they are just standing there, and I am empy handed. That being said, they have a pretty decent and reasonable drink menu (I didnt know that $5 was "pricey") and lots of vegetarian options. The dark atmosphere is oddly inviting but its often hard to find a place to sit, let alone stand since they have some oddly placed partitions dividing the booths and tables. Good place to check out and start your night, but dont get too excited. read more

Crowded and hip. Live dj. Snag a booth and you will be a happy camper. Average beer selection.

Good food. Unique drinks. Possibly the best ambience in Madison. Great DJs. Better on the weekdays cuz it gets crowded cuz it's so narrow. If there was more room, I'd for sure say it's my favorite bar in Madison read more

Good urban atmosphere, but a little cramped, and the National Geographic-y picture in the back nook is kinda scary.

finally checked this place out tonight (a monday) and I have to say, I was impressed. we were seated immediately and our waiter was super attentive. I might wait to go back until it cools down a little as they don't have a/c, but you really can't beat $16 for a great pizza and a pitcher... not to mention interesting atmosphere and good music playing. read more

This was one of my favorite spots when I lived in town. Ambiance, food, drinks, hot bartender... Went back again and it was as good as I remembered. I really like the Mediterranean plate and their pizzas. I like the brie and apple but also the Greek goddess. And they have Ting! Love this place, but am moreso a weekday evening kinda gal, as I'm not into crowds or loud music, and it can get hairy on weekend nights. read more

I used to recommend this place to everyone. That was when you got a good portion of food for the price. Last night I got less than 1/2 the size of a sandwich than I used to get. Either go back to the old portion sizes or I'll never be back. Trying to save money by downsizing portions is going to lose you a lot more customers than you realize. read more

Natt Spil has a super fun ambiance- dim lights, funky wood benches and decor. Tonight we had the brie/apple pizza tonight and the dumplings as a starter. They were both really good. Although, we would have liked the pizza toppings to be a little more spread out towards the crust, the apple and cheese were more concentrated in the middle . We went on a Monday where there's a deal of a pizza and a pitcher of beer for $17-- not bad! Also got a birthday shot of their coffee infused vodka- yum! Our server was very friendly and attentive. We had been there before so had an option or two of what we wanted, but he was able to give some good tips. Great place to go on a date or out with some friends. read more

Loved everything we had! Split a few dishes for apps for a small group and servers were very friendly.

Fine selection of booze and beer, tasty late night eats, and a comfortable atmosphere for talking with friends.

Went here for the first time on an early Saturday evening, right before it got busy. Nice atmosphere. I had high hopes for the food, based on the other Yelp reviews, but I was kind of disappointed. The Dim Sum dishes we had were okay (spring rolls, dumplings, shrimp cakes) but not awesome. I ordered the raved-about three-cup chicken and it turned out to be the same kind of chicken you'd get at any Chinese restaurant (taste-wise). I guess I expected a lot more for the price. The Dim Sum prices were good for what you got, but the dinners are overpriced for what they are. The service was okay, food was served in an average amount of time, if not a tiny bit slow. I would go here again, but with adjusted expectations. And maybe next year. read more

Love love the mussels. It's a fantastic place to go for some late night food after work - it's always busy and the staff is very nice, which I appreciate because then I won't mind going alone and sitting at the bar. It's unique, fantastic, and one of my favorites. It never gets old and I will always return. read more

I had the brie apple pizza with sage and it was amazing. The chefs are literally cooking behind the far corner of the bar. The bartenders are nice and make great drink. Ambiance is really unique. Great value. One of my top recommendations. read more

Grabbed dinner here with a friend last night. Heavenly. Small, dark and cozy. The space itself is vibrant but intimate at the same time. The three cup chicken was to die for. Will definitely be headed back. read more

Came for drinks and had the High Tea, highly recommended! However, it smelled so insanely good I can not wait to go back and actually try their food. I have never walked through a restaurant with such a variety of aromatic goodness! read more

This used to be my favorite place to eat.. The pull pork was the best I've ever had. But something happened. I don't see the Hispanic guy cooking here anymore and I think it really made an impact on their food. The pull pork Sammy was flavorless the last 3 times I've had it. The mussels were disgusting. This also used to also be one of our favorite dishes here. It tasted dirty. I was a little embarrassed to take my family that had never been. Nothing was great. Except the beer...but that's pretty hard to mess up. The place needs a new or cook.. Or rehire your old chef! His attention to detail was amazing and his food had way better flavor than the current cook. Won't be back for awhile. =o( read more

This place had great food, drinks, service, and music. The atmosphere is a little off the beaten path, which is refreshing and makes it an interesting place to go on the weekend. read more

I crave three cup chicken on the regular. Just cash is so annoying however. Coziest vibe in town...and bartenders rule.

Two words and a number. 3 cup chicken. That's all you need to know. The best meal you will have in Madison. Cash only.

Lots of pretense, but a mediocre menu. 2/3 of the menu is booze, which if you're looking for a lounge to drink in is great, but if you actually want a meal you'll likely be unimpressed. The pizza I had was, in spite of the morel mushrooms, spinach and asparagus, rather bland. When you took a bite all the toppings came off at once and you were left with empty crust, which when you ate it was rather flavorless and very dry. Drinks consumed were ok, but the spirits were masked by the mixer a bit too much. It was warm summer night so I ordered a mojito, and was greeted to a white-rum sour with a few mint leaves. Oh, stumps do not make good chairs. After 20 minutes all four members of my party had butt that had fallen asleep or just plain hurt. Prices were good though, and it's definitely one of the better value-for-money locations on King St. read more

I LOVE the food but 70% of the time the service is terrible. Or rather 70% of the servers are very rude. They have complete attitudes as if you are an inconvevience. The servers that are good are very good and on those nights make this place a lot of fun and very enjoyable. I love the food. I regularly hear from people I know that they won't go there because the attitude that the staff exudes. As if you don't know them personally you are not welcome. Perhaps they are do such god business that they don't care... but if you want an enjoyable smooth dinner I suggest a different establishment. Or consider sitting at the bar... as they are much more pleasant and attentive. If I wear the owners I would clean house of these rude servers and get new people that are happy to be working there and want to do a good job. read more

I love Natt Spil. Favorite bar in Madison. seat-yourself kind of place. If you just feel comfortable going in.. it's really not that confusing, people. I have never had poor service there. Maybe some servers who weren't overly cheerful but I hate overly cheerful people, so really it's a treat. Awesome atmosphere, cozy, dim. Best chips and salsa/guac I have ever had. Their cocktails are pretty fucking good, too. I love going here on a chill night during the week to get a drink and a snack and just hang out. Music is loud as sin but it's kind of nice because it drowns everyone out and you're able to just have a conversation with the people you go with. I prefer to just go with my boyfriend or a small group because it is a tight space. If you have the chance-- choose to sit in the back room (through a doorway in the shape of a keyhole) it's pretty intimate and really different. read more

Natt Spil is one of my favorite places to eat in Madison. Their eclectic menu makes for an amazing meal. The Snack Plate is a must. They also have a great bar. The only place outside of New Orleans that makes a good Sazerac! Highly recommended. read more

The 3-cup chicken: awesome. Their daiquiris - A TRAVESTY. Undrinkable, I think it had triple sec in it. Super gross. I will not get another drink from their Sunday bartender. read more

The only problem with this place is their success. Sometimes it's a little crowded. It has a cool atmosphere and great DJs. My husband and I usually will go on a Thursday night and the bartender is top notch. Food is awesome. The menus small but great from top to bottom. The pizza may be the best I'v had in Madison. I love the Italian sausage with chevre, my husband prefers the tomato and bacon. The roast pork sammie, four cup chicken and the shumai are all great. Good mussels too! read more

Love the atmosphere. Good music. Good choice of cocktails. Pita wedges were way too oily.

natt spil natt spil.. It's probably one of my favorite bars in Madison. Tucked away on the King street next to the Great Dane. I have been coming here for drinks ever since I turned 21 so like 4 years ago? (god I'm getting old). I love the ambiance. it's dark.. most of the time you can't see anything (so come here if you just want to chill on a friday night with a drink or two and don't want to put any make up on .. no one will notice lol). there's always a DJ when I'm there which are mostly on weekends. oh and the red oriental lanterns remind me of old school Chinese movies. In terms of drinks, I like the mojito.. really well made and so refreshing, reminds me of the mojito I had from Spain. I remember I was not a fan of Yokohoma mama but I don't remember what was in it. I also like High Tea, little gingerly taste and citrusy. I also had wine a few times. I have never had their martini.. not sure why.. but that will be on my list to try next time. My friend who's also a fan of Natt spil mentioned to me their dim sum is worth a try too. However I'm a little skeptical about the authenticity dimsum at a bar in Madison.. I will reserve my dimsum cravings for the tea house in Chicago. Last but not the least, for us poor college students, the price is not your typical college bar.. average drink ranges between $7-8 which is a reason why I gave it a 4 and not a 5. read more

I was really excited about this hole-in-the-wall after reading all the reviews for 3 cup tofu and a great bar menu, but I was terribly disappointed with the food, service, and atmosphere. The server did not hear my order of one entree apiece, so when only one came out I passed the first 3 cup tofu onto my husband while I waited for my order to be placed a second time. After a few bites of his plate I wished I hadn't ordered a second. The tofu was alright - dense, overly gingered, sweet, and oily. The cucumber salad was like a too-vinegary version of kim chee and he wouldn't eat it. We ended up with two plates of obnoxious and overly seasoned tofu and veggies. The mussels appetizers smelled like Red Tide dead fish in the Florida Keys (perhaps if we hadn't omitted the cream sauce it would have covered the foul smell) and single spring roll per $4 order was kind of puny. The waitress balked at having to provide a receipt (thanks goodness I was prepared for the cash-only policy) and then "forgot" that I gave her $60 instead of $40. And the music consisted of a soul mashup CD on repeat. I definitely heard the same track 3x. I enjoyed my Sazerac, and I better for $8 a pop. Overall it was a terribly disappointing experience. read more