Amazing food and vibe. Will be back. Best chicken sandwich I have ever had. Super fun place

The vibe here was cool-there was a dj playing music that added to the already chill and very unique atmosphere. I can't explain what it's like inside, it's one of those places you just have to see for yourself. But it's worth the visit to see this off beat spot. The drink menu was refreshing and fun while not being too cliche to its theme. And the food was fantastic! I had a hard time deciding between pizza and the three cup tofu but I went with the tofu and was not let down. The sauce was phenomenal and the portions were insane. Way too much food. The only thing that kept it from five stars was that the server wasn't the most attentive. It took quite a while between her visits although it wasn't particularly busy. But it definitely didn't color my experience enough to say I won't be back a hundred more times. read more

Had such an amazing experience! I was visiting with friends from NYC; Rachel and Devan were the best servers. The food was amazing. 10/10 would come back again and recommend it to everyone! read more

STRAIGHT UP TREAT. Found out about this place from a local friend who grew up in Madison. Barely an advertising outside. Looks like a dive at first glance, but it may be one of the most hipster hole-in-a-wall spots of Madison. Take your friends who have been in Madison for a long time, or impress a first date. They have BOTH AMAZING FOOD AND COCKTAILS. They serve a variety of food types, from Asian to American, to Mexican, AND SOMEHOW SOMEWAY they do it ALL really well. On top of all of this, they play on point music that brings the whole place together! read more

I had a great experience dining here after covid closures. The high tea drink is fanatic!! Natt spill is one of my favorite places in madison for funky vibes, fun food and drinks. Be sure to check out their cocktail kits Togo as well! They now take card, although I still paid in cash as I think it is there preferred method of payment. read more

Hidden gem, that's cash only. Dim Sum and wood-fi oven pizzas are the mainstays on the menu. I recommend a seat at the bar or one of the small booths adjacent to take in the low light asian-styled decor. In my trip, I stuck to the dim sum menu and sampled the spicy cheese wontons and steamed dumplings. I especially recommend the spicy cheese wontons. If I ever make it back to Madison, I have to swing in for a bowl of bbq pork soup and/or the 'za. read more

Natt Spil - Spicy cheese wontons - Pizza Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This review is based strictly off their customer service. My wife and I were going out for dinner last night at Muramoto. We arrived early (5:30p) to the King Street area. So, we thought we would stop by Nat Spil for a couple pre-dinner cocktails. Neither of us had been there before and were excited to give it a try. Our initial take was we really liked the atmoshere - seemed very cool. However, as mentioned in other reviews, we soon found that the place was small and a little confusing for us. The place has about 10 tables that I could see and a small bar with about 12 stools. Is it a restaurant or a bar? The reason I bring this up is that when we walked in there were two couples sitting at tables and no one at the bar. One couple had food and other couple just had cocktails. There was no one to greet us when we walked in (i didn't think that was going to be a big deal but it obvioulsly was), so we sauntered over to the bar and ordered a cocktail. After the drinks were poured we thought it might be more comfortable sitting at a table and told the bartendress - "no problem" she says. We chose a table in the front window area. It was small but had four sets of silverware. Suddenly a waiter appears and asks if it just the two of us tonight. "Yes" I replied. He lets out a big sigh, and then snatches two of the silverware sets. As he is walking to the cupboard to put them away I notice that he is shaking his head the whole time and is still visible pissed that there is only two of us. He then takes the silverware he just cleared and started slamming/throwing them back into the cupboard drawers. Let me take the opportunity to remind you that there were four other customers in this establishment at this point and it was 5:30pm. It's not like we were occupying prime seats during prime time. So... The waiter comes back and says, "what do want for dinner?" with an exaggerated roll of his eyes. I said we were just having drinks and wouldn't be staying long. Another hugh sigh and he storms off to his station and takes a big drink from his wine glass. I was surprised to see the waiter drinking at 5:30. I wonder if he paid for that drink or if it was stolen from the establishment's owner?!? Well that pretty much sealed it - not going to have a second drink there. We slammed our cocktails and high tailed it. As we were leaving we had to walk right past him. He never looked up or even acknowledged we were leaving. Interestingly enough... Around 8:00p as we were walking back to our car from Muramoto, we glanced into the front window of Nat Spil. It looked they had a whooping crowd of about 6 people. I wonder how many other people left after dealing with that ass-bag waiter?!? read more

Why do love Yelp? Let me count the ways: -I pay more attention to what I am eating -I focus on the surroundings and the service -I get to write about a food! But mostly I enjoy meeting other Yelpers. I recently met Kelvin at a Yelp event. He is 25, I am not. He asked if I would like to get together with him and his girlfriend. I was thrilled to do so. The three of us met at Nat Spil. We way over-ordered but each and every dish was excellent. The food was presented beautifully and each dish was full of flavor. Servings are generous and we shared everything. My favorites were the mussels, this time with the cream, and the Mediterranean Spreads. The mussels were plump and luscious. The other dishes were delicious; Apple Brie Pizza, Three Cup Chicken and shu mai. Oh, how could I forget about my Caipirinha. It was sooooo goood. I love this place. read more

AMBIENCE! This place has 'it'. Natt Spill is dark and relaxing, yet hip and exciting. It's a juxtaposition if there ever was one. This contrast can also be seen in their small, yet truly unique menu. Want pizza? Sure! Craving some dumplings? You got it. Or how about some chips and salsa? Uh-huh, okay! My favorite is the brie and apple pizza. Delicate and sweet. The dumplings are also a high contender. My friends have even coerced me into trying the mussels and I can say they aren't half bad. My 'buds were more in favor of the cascabel cream and bread-for-dipping that accompanied it, though. I generally wash it all down with the dangerously good cocktail, the High Tea, and I am good to go... ..After I have just one more cocktail. read more

Get the coffee shot, so good! Warm and friendly place that feels too cool to even be in Madison at all. Safe space for everyone to have a good time. Not to mention that the three cup tofu is absolutely to die for. read more

I'm sad to write this place isn't what it used to be. Went early on a Saturday evening to have a cocktail and small plates. I started with the raspberry kombucha Collins. It has gin, which I prefer to whiskey (the other drink they make with kombucha), but it wasn't great. I'm often afraid the fruit added to a cocktail will be overpowering, but in this case, I would not have known there was raspberry in my drink if it hadn't been listed on the menu. I was looking forward to a drink with kombucha, but this just didn't do it for me. My husband and I shared 3 items: - pickled vegetable salad: I love pickled veg, but this was so terrible I could not eat it. The dish would benefit by having less - a lot less - vinegar. I was surprised when the nearly full bowl was left and I told the waitress I didn't like it that she didn't remove it from our tab or offer to bring something else. - three cup chicken: it sounds so amazing on the menu, but it's the equivalent of fast food Chinese you might find in an office or school cafeteria. The flavors did not match the description, and the "chicken" pieces were shaped like small pellets. Definitely some sort of over processed chicken meat product. - Middle Eastern plate: this was quite good. I liked the purées, although they were a bit on the stiff side. I really liked what they did with the pita. It had some olive oil drizzled on it and had been in the oven long enough to make it perfectly crispy. That's good stuff! The olives were good as well. It's such a distinctive little place, I expect the food quality to be much better. I hope they can kick it up a notch. read more

When it's not super-crowded, Natt Spil is delightful. Tasty drinks, food that looks mouth-watering (I've only had the bacon something-or-other pizza, and it was quite good), and a good rotation of DJs. The space is dimly lit, warm, and cozy, and their tiny outdoor seating section is perfect on warm weeknights when you want to converse with a few friends while enjoying a cool beverage. When the Natt Spil is hopping though, it's not my cup of tea. It's such a narrow building that in order to move you have to make full-body contact with everyone surrounding you as you slink through the masses - I (semi-jokingly) refer to it as Frotteur Heaven for good reason. Aside from having to get overly-friendly with your neighbors, people end up awkwardly standing in the spaces between tables and holding their drinks over diners' heads. As a clumsy lady, this makes me nervous. So, to review: laid-back nights = awesome, crowded nights = not so much. read more

This is one of those places that many seem to rave about but I can barely tolerate. The food and drinks I have had were fine, but the pretentiousness of the patrons and the claustrophobic layout make this a place I only visit when dragged by my friends. Being a fairly tall guy with wide shoulders, I am the quintessential bull in a china shop here. The chairs are tiny, the booths tight and constricting, and the traffic flow narrow. If you are a short, thin, pretentious type, then this is probably the ideal place to hang out. But there are much better options nearby, such as Opus or Maduro. read more

Maybe it's the three cup chicken (such a simple dish, but it literally haunts my dreams)? Maybe it's the stiff cocktails? Maybe it's the fact that it isn't swarming with raging college kids (no disrespect, but it's nice when you need a night to recover from typical UW debauchery)? All I know is that after spending 4 years exploring Madison, and visiting twice since graduation, Natt Spil is my go-to. The crowd is a bit on the hipster side, but I've seen all sorts of people set up shop and feel completely comfortable here. There is no website, sign outside or phone number, which keeps the place from becoming a mob scene. The lighting is dark, the music (usually a live DJ) is loud, the atmosphere is casual but cool and well designed. Sort of an Asian-influenced speakeasy meets your uncle's log cabin up north. The dim sum is always a good bet (like, an exceptionally good bet...), and the pizzas never disappoint. Also, the aforementioned three cup chicken just does something to me. Great food at an even better price. Some solid, super-affordable wine and beer selections, too. I've been here on dates and with a couple of friends at a time, but wouldn't recommend it for a big group. It's more of an intimate spot. Bring cash or your ATM card, credit cards are not accepted. Lastly, the kitchen is open until pretty late (1am I believe), which rules. And so concludes my first Yelp review. I just wanted to pour one out for my homie. Natt Spil-I miss you. read more

An unmarked building. Dark, mood lighting inside. A DJ in the back spinning records (this night was techno!). I present you Natt Spil. Such an interesting, yet lovely ambiance. The ambiance feels really cozy, and everyone is situated at wooden tables/booths throughout. It reminded me of a place I had been to in NYC that I had ventured to before, and absolutely adored. They had a great beer selection, and their pizzas looked divine (I wish we had come sooner to try a few)! I was in a fancy mood, and opted for a glass of sauvignon blanc to tide the evening over. Also, bring cash, or use their ATM in the back. read more

I think this was the first restaurant I ate at in Madison. And it definitely set the right tone for the rest of the city. No sign at the door, which makes it a little hard to wander in unless you know you are coming here. For reference, it's right next to the Great Dane. Also, bring cash. But then again...if you forget there's an ATM conveniently located inside. We're pretty boring when it comes to this place. Meaning that what we got that first time was so good that we barely deviate. Usually go with the following dim sum: duck duck soup, mussels, and dumplings. Some of our deviations have not been too pleasant. For some reason have never had luck with any of the daily specials. And for pizza we unfortunately only tried the brie and apple (what was I thinking??) The atmosphere is killer and they always have a live DJ. Yeah. read more

Went last week for some late night dim sum and duck soup. I won't say 'duck' twice, as it's listed on the menu as such. It seems kind of silly. I'm also the kindergartener who refused to do the Hokey Pokey. Wet blanket, that's me. ;) The 'bartender'? He couldn't have been more of a douche if he tried. And, boy, did he not try. Inattentive- but only after reading us the specials in what almost sounded like a parody of snottiness, without letting either of us ask any questions about them. Like, really- neither of us could get a word in edgewise. Throughout our evening, he kept giving us these dismissive glances as if he was just too cool to give a shit. Finally, we got to hear all about how one of the cooks 'saved his life' after his girlfriend 'went crazy' on him over the weekend. Wow. Good thing we were almost done eating- hearing him bloviate drove us out the door pretty quick. I wish there were a better place to get late-night noodles in a non-hipster-bullshit atmos... At this point, there is only one good bartender there: the young lady with short hair. Unless she's behind the bar, I won't bother staying. read more

Well, say what you will (and I have complained to my compatriots) about the no phone, no sign, no credit card policy, but I love Natt Spil. I tell people I hate it. I tell people it is full of hipster assclowns (which it is). When it all shakes out though the food is amazing, the beer and wine list are great, and everything is terribly reasonable on the wallet. Chef David Oliver has a great palate and an inventive menu. The three-cup chicken is terrific and would be something I would order every time I went to any other restaurant, but it is only the second best item on the simple, delicious menu at Natt Spil. Dave's Pork Sammie is absurdly good. It is the best sandwich I've had anywhere. Lastly, the hipster assclown population is promulgated by the tremendous DJs regularly spinning at Natt Spil. This is a great place to eat and a great place to grab a few drinks and listen to great music. read more

My wife and I were invited here on what might have been the coldest night of the past winter. We parked our car and walked around the block. We didn't find the restaurant, so we walked around the next block. I don't remember how we eventually figured out that the assholes who run this place decided not to post a sign in order to be edgy or something, but I do remember that I couldn't feel any of my limbs when I finally staggered in 20 minutes late. Since we were so late, I assumed that everyone else had ordered, so I quickly asked the waiter for some sort of pizza when he came by. He sneered back, "Maybe you should let the ladies order first." What an asshole-- exactly the kind of guy who works at a place without a friggin' sign. The pizza was fine. I won't be back to try it again. read more

I have to agree with Erin C. This place is a great find that I've walked past numerous times on my way to other restaurants and always wondered about. Now that I have experienced Natt Spil, I'm hoping it won't be more crowded next time I visit. It was FABULOUS! Dark and quiet with a friendly staff and an atmosphere that you can just sink into and enjoy. Whether to meet a friend or enjoy a fabulous dinner, Natt Spil was a fantastic choice that will be made again! read more

Natt Spil... it's alright. I'm between 2 stars on it's lousy and over crowded nights, and an easy 3+ stars on the nights when it's the right size crowd, the windows are open, and I'm getting food. So... let's break it down... Cash only. 'Apps' is the food here, for a snack. Beers/drinks aren't anything special, with a moderate selection. If it's incredibly packed, don't bother with food... you'll just feel in the way. They do serve late (not sure how late), so that's nice if it's a weekday. Go with someone who has been there before if you can to avoid what other people mention about it being 'confusing'. The crowd is generally very casual. The best thing is that if you're downtown, you can 'try it out'... because if it sucks for you that night, walk somewhere else. I'd definitely say to give it a go. read more

Natt Spil is up there as one of my favorite places to go when i'm craving drinks and food. First off, the place isn't labelled, and doesn't even have a phone. So, note that it's the building with the green awning next to The Great Dane further down King. With that out of the way, i'll say that the food is awesome, and there's plenty of variety. Some of the dishes I liked a lot included the brie & apple pizza, the middle eastern vegetarian snack plate, and the three cup tofu. It's well worth making separate trips to try them all, because you'll also want to keep coming back for the drinks. In addition to having a wide selection of liquors, they concoct several specialty drinks, and a lot of them are hits. I recommend just giving any of them a whirl if you're not too picky, otherwise the chocolate martini and the Pom Collins are sure winners. The Natt Spil's ambience might be polarizing to some, but I really like it. It's very dark inside with only accent lights, and there's a small outdoor area in the front. Nearly every night there's a DJ spinning records, and the selections are unconventional, but serve as perfect background music for chatting with friends. Natt Spil is one of Madison's best kept secrets, and at the very least I highly recommend going to see what the hype is about. read more

Can not say enough good things about this place. My favorite place to go in Madison for sure! Wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The menu is small, but diverse, and you truly can't go wrong with ordering anything on it. I like starting out with some of the dim sum options--the spicy cheese wontons are my favorite. If you have never been, then for entrees I recommend one person getting three cup chicken (or tofu) and another person getting the pork sandwich because both are amazing. Their pizzas are great too, can't go wrong there either and they have both veggie and meat offerings. Did I mention you can get a pizza with brie on it!? Um, amazing. And I almost forgot their tomato and cucumber salad is also a favorite of mine. It sounds simple, but I promise it's very good. And it's not just their food, they have great drinks too. If you like a spicy drink, I recommend the orange dragon. They have a wide variety of unique drinks on their menu and they house infuse some of their liquor as well (e.g. lemon grass infused vodka) The place itself is small, cozy, and dimly lit. Many nights there is a live DJ spinning in the back. If you have a large group, be prepared to wait a little while, but it's worth it, plus you can try some of their drinks while you wait. Also be advised that it is cash only. I've never had anything but excellent service, excellent food, and excellent drinks here. read more

Translates to "night play" or "after party" in Norwegian -- as you can imagine, this place is open late in the night all week. I'd like to think of this Madison's hidden gem of a bar (no sign outside, no phone)! Good drinks; Great ambiance - Intimate; Asian influenced- one of the owners spent a lot of time in China. Their wood-burning oven roasted pizzas are very good. Love their three-cup tofu - an amazing blend of flavors served with rice and pickled veggies. I usually have them go a little easy on the soy and it is perfect for me. Their hummus plate is also delicious and a good value for the money. Seating -- if it is winter, find a seat further inside - the door opening can get pretty drafty. If there is a DJ, the back of the place can get loud. The best, most intimate space is at the furthest back wall on the left -- there is a little alcove with about 4 tables! If it is summer, their front windows open out, so you can sit either up front or outside and it is quite nice. Note: Small food menu and No credit cards accepted (ATM on site though) read more

Went here on a Monday night for dinner at 10pm on a monday night. The menu is about 1/3 Vegetarian which was nice because the friend i was entertaining is a pescatarian. We enjoyed delicious greek style pizza and a pitcher of octoberfest beer for $15 (Their Monday night special). Great deal. There was a DJ mixing solid rock music which transgressed decades. nice. As you can read from other other reviews , Natt Spill has a great vibe, good crowd, and equally quality music. Highly recommended. especially if you want quality food late at night with vegetarian options. read more

Super fun ambiance & diverse menu. Our server was great too. Three of us shared a the spinach/tomato/bacon pizza, Greek pizza and shrimp/sausage dumpling dim sum. It was enough & tasty! The reason not giving it 5 star was the pizza was not hot. This could be because the plates were cold, not room temperature, actually cool. read more

When choosing my star-rating of places on Yelp, I usually compare the establishment to some sort of standard for the category it is in. This is impossible for Natt Spil, because there is no category. This is the iron man of food and drink joints. If you do not come here while in Madison or the neighborhood specifically, you are missing out! Whether it is their rocking Dim Sum (my group split 3/4 of the options, and they were all top notch), their pizzas, or the eclectic options like this unbelievable Duck Duck Soup, you can't go wrong! The drink options also abound with great local and farther options of craft beer and cocktails that looked quite tasty (stuck to beer though, so I'm just guessing). Service was friendly and attentive, and the whole feel of this place is just hip while still being comfy. There's even a DJ tucked away in the place too. Seriously, do not miss this place. We will be back whenever we're in Madison. read more

I went here for the first time today. Very unique all around. (Decorating and menu) Hints of Asian, contemporary, rustic, artsy all in one place. The food was quite good. "Honest" I loved the dumplings. The family got a pizza and loved that too. All around good find for me. "I'll be back" read more

Cool, pseudo-underground bar in Madison. Very unique decor, and mysterious lighting. They usually have a DJ on busy nights. Food is good- good asian-ish selection of snacks. Three cup chicken/tofu is solid, along with their pizza selections. They have a pretty solid drink menu; good liquor selection and interesting beers on tap. If they started accepting credit cards, this place would blow up. Maybe that's intentional; don't think it could handle much more people. read more

I really enjoy coming to Natt Spil! The drinks and food I've had have been good, no complaints here, but I know I need to try the "dim sum". The pizza, mussels and chips and dip are fantastic. What I love best about Natt Spil is the ambiance. I just love *being* there. Granted, I go at weird times because of my schedule-- week nights, mostly -- so I don't have to fight for a good seat. Whether sitting at a table or the bar I feel the warmth of the red tones brought out by very, very dim lighting (and the fire from the wood burning oven!). Once my eyes adjust to the darkness, I start to notice different textures all over the place. Just look around: even the bathrooms are coated in different textures! It's truly a work of art just being there. Practical tip: cash only. read more

What a cool little place. I would say it's "Dive" but that could be taken negatively. There is no sign outside, there is no sign on the door, no real advertisement - nothing that would ever tell you "Come inside me and have a great time" The Decor was great. It was very peaceful and the people / servers were all very friendly and nice. Quant, fun, and loved the food. I had a brick fire oven pizza (artichoke, feta cheese, red peppers, and pepperoni) - Breathtaking!!! The dumplings I had as an app. was the best way to start the meal - and I ended it with a huge brownie!! I will certainly be coming back. read more

I've been to Natt Spil a few times and had pretty similar experiences each time. It's very busy on the weekends, but my most recent trip was on a Monday night with a group of 7 for dinner. The ambiance is funky and hipsterish. I like it generally, but it was too dark and the music was too loud for a Monday night. On a weekend night I expect this, but it was 7pm on a Monday and we wanted to hear each other. I have also never been to Natt Spil and had enough room. Even on a fairly un-crowded Monday night, the 7 of us were crowded at a table that could comfortably seat 5. Our server was attentive even though we were nestled back near the DJ. The food is pretty good. On Mondays you get a pizza and a pitcher for $16, which is a good deal, and we got 4 of these specials at our table, sampling 3 different pizzas, all of which were good. My husband had been excited about the mussels, which they didn't have that night. Salads were hit or miss, and the shu mai wasn't popular with a couple in our group, although my husband liked it. The weirdest thing was that the beer wasn't very cold. We got 4 pitchers of 3 different types of beer. At least 2 of the beers were warm. In the past, I've ordered a bottle of wine that also came warm. It was red wine, which is still supposed to be served colder than room temperature, but it was definitely warmer than room temp. Disappointing because they have a pretty good wine list. Although they have a rotating beer list, I wasn't too impressed with their choices. It would be so easy to pick more popular or more exciting beers. I know lots of people who love Natt Spil, but I am still not sold. With so many better options with more light, more space, and better food, I'm not sure I see the point. I would probably return for the pizza and pitcher special, for late night drinks or food, but not for dinner on a random night of the week. read more

I love this place! Pros: - The three-cup tofu is outstanding. I know what you are thinking: "Tofu? Really?" Yes, really. I will be the first to admit that tofu can go terribly wrong, but this is delicious. It is the first tofu that I have ever craved. - The Dim Sum options are fresh and delicious. I recommend the Sriracha wontons. - The interior is awesome. It is like a modern take on an opium den. I find it very relaxing and engaging all at the same time. - The service has always been very professional, knowledgeable, and on-the-ball. - Lots of parking in the ramp around the corner by the Dane. Cons: - It can be loud on weekend nights. This is a great place for dinner with friends before a show - a bad place for weekend romance. - The seats are very close together. Again, fun with friends, not so good for whispering sweet nothings. - There can be a little bit of angsty hipsterness. Embrace it and you'll be fine. - Cash only, but they do have an ATM. - The pizza is fine, but not rave worthy. Try something else on the menu that is wonderful. read more

Natt Spil is a dark, shotgun-style space with Oriental decor, a Chinese-meets-Italian menu, and a Norwegian name. It's...a little different, to say the least. Sadly, I think the owners have overreached, but maybe they just need more time. My friend and I met in the dark (very dark) back for a nice supper, but instead chose to go with a couple of small plates. Just as well, as that is the focus of the very small menu. Our cocktails took an inordinate amount of time to get to us, but were well-prepared. My friend's "green thumb" was deemed good and my negroni was solid. Food also took a while to get out to us. The shu mai were just on the good side of decent, with a fair sauce and a generous plumpness. However, the water chestnut purported to be within was not noticeable in either taste nor texture. The brie and apple pizza, however, was a pleasant surprise. While the sage was a suggestion at best -- and maybe that's a good thing -- the pizza was cooked propery and generously topped with nicely melted brie and clear, fresh apples that complemented the crisp-tender but uncharred crust of the pizza. Quite good, and worth returning for,. Natt Spil is a strange, disjointed place off King Street that I cannot figure out 100%. They're getting a three-star rating instead of a two-star simply for that. While drinks were good, our service was slow and the food nothing special. I'm not saying avoid it, but I'm not really recommending it either. read more

Nattspill = "night play" in Norwegian, in case you were curious... Even though this place can be crowded (despite its stealthy sign-less entrance), I love it. It's dark and moody and the djs who play on the weekends are really good. Get there a little early so you can stake out the awesome back room with tree logs as stools. Their drinks are strong and goood, especially their mojitos. The food is pretty good, too, especially the pizzas. My friends are obsessed with the 3-cup chicken, but being picky and not liking dark meat, I'm not crazy about it. Nattspill really is a killer place to play. Check it out. read more

Natt Spil is a must for me every time I make a trip to Madison. However, it can get pretty crowded on some nights. This wouldn't be problem except for the fact that the venue is small. You can't do much moving around on busy nights and waiting for a table can take forever. Still, the atmosphere is really nice and comfortable on a low key night. It's a great place to have dinner and conversation with friends. There's a fairly priced Asian fusion menu. No where else have I been able to choose between dim sum or pizza. The mussels are a favorite! I'm not much of a drinker but the drink menu is definitely extensive and you'll have plenty to select from. I always look forward to stopping by Natt Spil. It may be hard to find for a first timer, as there are no literal signs that give it away, but once you do find it, you'll enjoy it. read more

This place is so unassuming to walk by. If I had not been taken here I would never have thought to stop in for dinner. I'm very glad I did though. I've only been for a few casual meals all of which were great. But I try to go back when I can. I know it gets a little crazy later at night but I prefer an early dinner here since the food is the star attraction. Where else can you go for dim sum, dumplings, pizza, chips and salsa/guac, and pita with a hummus-esque dip. Personal faves are the 3 cup chicken, spicy cheese wontons, and basically any pizza. read more

We were lucky to stumble onto this place. If it weren't for the hipster-ish crowd spilling out into the sidewalk seating we may have missed it all together (and I think they're okay with that). It's a small menu, but everything seems very specific and fulfills its purpose. A little Asian, a little bistro, and a decent beer list with some Lake Louie and Ale Asylum. The feel of the place was late-night even during a regular dinner hour, which is unusual for the area. I'm thinking this is why so many reviewers found it pretentious, but really, it just felt a little more urban than most Madison places, but not overly trendy at all. If anything, it felt a bit off the beaten path. There was a mediocre DJ and the crowd went from lively to chill as it got late. The food was tasty -- spicy, a bit too salty at times, and the flavors were particular. We had the Three Cup Chicken, a spicy and light Asian dish with Spicy Tomato Cucumber Salad (the best part!), and the Dave O's Cherry Wood Roast Pork Sammie, a spicy and salty sandwich with perfect french bread. I'd be happy to go again and try other dishes. Overall, it's a cool and unique option in Madison's Capital area (most late-nite options are on the University side, it seems) with an interesting menu. read more

I don't get what this place is supposed to be. Is it a bar? Is it a lounge? Is it a restaurant? Well, first of all, there's always music in the background. And by music, I mean really loud sounds. I'm trying to make conversation here, helllloooo?! Second, this place is really dark. I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty bad at seeing in the dark. Mix that with the small, cramped space and too many glasses of alcohol, and you will definitely see someone make a fool out of themselves (most likely me. Ok it was me....). Third, why are your waitresses so surly? I'm coming in to buy a few drinks, so the least you can do is take my order without attitude. I don't expect to be greeted with smiles, rainbows and butterflies, but when I'm trying to throw money your way, be a bit more responsive. Whatever, at least the Merchant is right next door. read more

Four stars for ambience and service; not-five stars for shrimp cakes. I'll get the negatives out of the way first. Shrimp cakes were...meh. Not terrible, but I wasn't a fan of the texture (this is more of a personal preference thing, but the cakes had whole chunks of shrimp in them, including those crunchy outer/end bits, and I like my seafood cakes smoother), or the rather one-dimensional shrimp flavor. Not bad, but not great, for me. Hoooowever. The chips & salsa were awesome, as were the dumplings. Service, as mentioned in other reviews, really couldn't be better. The guys working were friendly without being pushy, we never had to ask for water refills or hunt them down for another drink, and they happily gave food recommendations. And the atmosphere is the best - very chill, very cozy, very authentic. Natt Spil knows what it is, and it doesn't try to be anything else. read more