The trout was delicious! Our server was amazing. Very fond memory of the evening. We'll be going there again!

Food was amazing. Had the oysters Ambiance is great as well. Great view of the lake and surrounding areas

The ambiance of this restaurant is amazing, I guess that's why is hard to get a table by the window/lake. French air, great food, reminds me of some NYC restaurants I like how is traditional and they work to keep the level of quality so high at all times. Great for a romantic dinner, brunch time or celebrations. It's elegant! Although I think you can come as you are. Tarts for dessert are the best! read more

Sardine - Sardine inside - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Took my wife here during our occasional stay at the Madison Concourse Hotel. The staff was very pleasant. We sat next to the kitchen where you see and smell the wood burning oven and stove. We ordered the moules frittes appetizer (mussels and fries) which is a must have. Save the bread for soaking up the broth. Our entrees were very good. It was very rich but it is a French restaurant so it was expected. The atmosphere was delightful. I would recommend. read more

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We had an excellent dinner here for our anniversary. Unfortunately we could not enjoy the lake with the sun setting so much earlier in October. The service was excellent. Would definitely recommend! read more

The mussels were delicious with the fries and extra bread to soak up the sauce. The duck confit was also nice but wished the bartender had delayed the entree until I finished with my appetizer. read more

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This place was so disappointing. We called 5 minutes before we arrived on a Sunday for Brunch and were told there were plenty of seats outside to our surprise. Once we arrived suddenly they were all taken. We ordered the croque madam and it was terrible. The cheese was barely melted. It wasn't even warm. And the fries were cold and smooshy like they had been sitting overnight. The waitress didn't come to check on us except the first time to take our order. I had to call her over to get anything. And it wasn't even busy!. The place was more than half empty! And to boot, the waitress loaded up our bill with items we didn't order and we had to get it changed. She barely even apologized. The only reason it gets two stars is because it's a nice looking place. Seriously disappointing for a place that should have a high touch experience. read more

My favorite spot for brunch in Madison. The food and beverages/cocktails are always top-notch. I've had nothing but excellent experiences with service. The ambiance is delightful. I have high expectations for this establishment, and I've never been disappointed. read more

I had the halibut which was juicy and tender but the accompanying vegetables were extremely salty. My colleague ordered the same thing and she was encountering the same. It was as though the veg had been soaked in salt water. The appetizers were good. Service was extremely slow. The server didn't come to take the order for entree until 1.5 hours into dinner. I wasn't sure if he was waiting for the cue (it was a business dinner) but at the end our table basically had to wave the credit card for him to come get the bill. read more

My wife and I ate dinner at Sardine on Friday, July 12. We both had the special of Mediterranean Seabass. We both experienced symptoms of scombroid food poisoning very soon after eating, which is common for that type of food poisoning. read more

Seems to be a staple here. Nice ambience and good fish entrees dessert and wine. The starters are ok and probably could be better.

I've been wanting to try this restaurant for a while now but always was hesitant due to the limited menu. I finally had the opportunity to try it a few weeks back with two friends. When I entered the building from the parking lot it was confusing where the entrance was, when you walk in you are almost walking into a waiter station, but with a mix of tables and then the bar. I walk in looking for the hostess stand, but couldn't find it right away. You had to walk halfway through the restaurant to find it. I found that placement odd. The specialty drinks were a bit steep in price for the size. However they were absolutely delicious and strong. Two of us ordered fish, one was the daily special white fish, the other was salmon, our other friend ordered the vegetarian special of the night. My two friends loved their dishes. I wish I could have said the same for mine. Don't get me wrong the fish was to die for but all the other ingredients over powered the whole dish. We ordered a few sharable sides, beets (not my favorite, too earthy), cauliflower gratin, and charred broccoli. The cauliflower gratin was heavenly, everything you would want a gratin to be, cheesy, and crispy. The charred broccoli was a complete fail. No one liked it at our table, It was truly awful. Steer clear of that. Now to the best part of the night desert. How can you go to a restaurant like this and not order desert. I ordered the house-made sorbet and it was by far the best sorbet I have ever had. We also had the lemon meringue tart which was really good too. Would I go back? Maybe for desert. That's about it. read more

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4 of us had dinner here last night. Very cool atmosphere. Craft cocktails were top notch. Loved the vodka gimlets. French onion soup awesome. Pear salad so/so. A bit bitter. Salmon, chicken, flounder and mussels were all great. Service was good. read more

I've only had one other visit to Sardine and that was in the winter. So happy to see the menu looking enticing for a summer restaurant week visit and having the lake view! It didn't disappoint; we had a window table and the restaurant is in a really lovely space so it sets the tone for a fun summer night. Cocktail menu was a good one - I had the La Vie En Rose which was delicious and had a pretty, dainty presentation. I wasn't as excited over the Provençal but my friends tried several other concoctions both signature and special, and they had all positive reviews. My chosen starter was the watermelon and cantaloupe salad. I really enjoyed it and wanted more! The melon was perfectly ripe and the different pops of flavor, especially the mint and the feta creme, were all so complementary. I missed the chili lime dressing, however - was it missing or just too subtle; not sure. I selected the whitefish for the entree and thought it was quite good as well. The fish was cooked perfectly and flaked apart; the olive and basil ragout and potatoes were very tasty and the Sungold tomatoes added a perfect layer of flavor. Wasn't sure what to do with the saffron aioli so I tried it with everything and it was a pleasant addition to the plate, but not essential to pull it all together. Dessert was a bit of a let down - vanilla Panna Cotta with blueberry granita. The Panna Cotta lacked vanilla despite the obvious evidence of vanilla bean dusting the top. Without the fruit it would have been quite bland. The service was very friendly albeit slow. My guess after two visits is that this is another good place in Madison to turn to for a fairly consistent dining experience. read more

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We went to Sardine for the first time for Restaurant Week, and it was amazing. The rock shrimp cakes I had as an appetizer had chunks of shrimp in them, so you really got the whole flavor, were served over a small salad of greens, and came with a delicious sauce that complimented but didn't overpower the cakes themselves. When I ordered the duck entree (served over a bed of vegetables, some of which I couldn't identify but all of which were delicious with the balsamic ringing my plate), our waitress informed me that the chef recommended this entree be cooked medium. I like my meat a little less done than the average consumer, and let her know. When it arrived it was cooked to perfection exactly as I had requested. Dessert was a great take on the key lime pie - what they called a key lime tart. A little less tart than its namesake, it sat on a graham cracker crust with a delicious meringue replacing the traditional whipped cream. My drink (a gin basil smash) was similarly outstanding, but took so long to make that our appetizers arrived ahead of it. Our entrees were brought out before I had completed my appetizer, and I had noted our server checking to see if I had finished a few times before then. I'm guessing that the rush was due to it being restaurant week and that at other times you can eat at a bit more leisurely pace. We will definitely go back! read more

I've lived in Madison my entire life, and I can say that this is the best restaurant in Madison. It is our "go-to" restaurant whenever we go out. The ambiance is great, the staff is always pleasant and helpful (even in today's age where finding good staff is difficult), and the food is excellent. They have an excellent bar/cocktail list, and also have many good NA options available including NA cocktails and Athletic Run Wild NA IPA. A small selection of outdoor dining tables are available as well. If you can't get a reservation (and yes, it is difficult so plan in advance) there are high-top and other bar tables available on a first come first serve basis, and we've always had pretty good luck with that, not having to wait too long. Most of the times we decide to go here we have not planned in advance, and are dining in the bar area. read more

Sardine is a beautiful space. But you're not going for that, are you? Expect to pay prices similar to those at Chicago restaurants. But you will not get much for your money: I thought the portion size of the omelettes was very small and the side of sausage links, though flavorful, was pink inside (I thought those might have been smoke rings, but that seems unlikely.) Anyway, I would go back, maybe for a drink or to sit outside when the weather permits. But I wouldn't be in a hurry. read more

Delicious and really reasonable prices for the amount of food given. First time in Madison and was so impressed with Sardine.

I really like Sardine. It's a really nice spot on the lake, with great views inside and out, cool architecture, a really fun and creative menu, as well as great service. It is indeed a pricier place than many popular restaurants in the area, but for an every-now-and-then meal it is well worth the cost. I have been in twice now, once for brunch, and again last night for dinner. Brunch was fantastic. I don't recall what I had even, it was quite a while back, but I left feeling full and satisfied with the experience. Dinner last night was also fantastic. I went with the Salmon dish. It came with lentils, spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms, though I had them leave the 'shrooms off. The beurre blanc had incredible flavor and pulled the whole dish together. I also went with a side of the cauliflower gratin which was very tasty, creamy, and delish. The salt roasted beets were ordered at the table and I was able to try them as well. Very good! I love beets with goat cheese, and these were done very well. The Broccoli Rabe was also ordered at the table. This unfortunately was not at all something I enjoyed. The flavors, just not to my taste. The one who ordered it, though, loved it! So, still a win. We finished the meals with dessert. This place has AMAZING dessert and you should always get it. I had the lemon meringue tart. Goodness this was amazing. Lemon meringue is my favorite pie. This was so rich and delicious, with the meringue being perfectly fluffy and light. The butterscotch pot de creme was ordered at the table as well. Tried a bite of this mousse-like creation and WOW is all I can say. Very good. Lastly, the house-made sorbet was ordered. This too was incredible! You can order it as a mix of the 3 flavors of the day, or all of one flavor if you'd rather not have variety. Overall, everything was prepared beautifully, our whole experience was wonderful, and there is pretty much nothing to complain about. The ambiance, the service, everything was great. read more

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I love their happy hour. Gives you a chance to try a great selection of food for half the price. The oysters are particularly good as well as the chicken liver toast. The space is beautiful as well, looking out right over the lake. read more

Fabulous spot for dinner or happy hour in Madison. I love Sardine. I've been coming here for over 10 years and thought it was about time to leave a review. You'll get top notch, professional service in a great atmosphere with wonderful food and drink. We recently came here with a large party of 9 and had the back corner. Your server was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The menu changes frequently to reflect local ingredients. As a vegetarian there was only a couple of items I could order, but those items were DELICIOUS. I started with the local cucumber what was paired with pickled shallots and had a great fennel finish. Yum! My main was a linguini with fresh mushrooms. Others at the table enjoyed the salmon, moules frites and halibut. Our table ordered five desserts to share- the butterscotch pot de creme was the crowd favorite. Pros: fresh, local, ever changing menu items, wonderful service, great ambience next to the lake, large bar area Cons: make sure you make a reservation- this place is popular! read more

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One of the best restaurants in Madison for any meal. Killer brunch. Oysters on point! read more

The service was really pretty good. But I found the menu pretty uninspiring. For a place called Sardine, one might think there would be a larger seafood selection... so much. Mussels seem to be their signature dish and those who ordered them at our table were happy with them. The other fish on the menus included and I identified "white fish" and salmon - not identified as either wild or farm raised. Started with a beat salad. It was delicious, but of poor value given it was $10 and really only offered two bites perhaps three of one savored the experience. I was really struggling with the rest of the menu. But then I saw a decent looking burger go by... I inquired... it's on the bar menu. It's like $12-14 bucks. But it was tasty and was the best value on the menu. It comes with frites. Even so with a cocktail and my beat salad, I was in for over $40 for a burger out on the town. To be clear the quality of the food was fine - the service really very good. The atmosphere was decent but very loud. We had a larger group which often required shouting. Check out the menu online so you can make an informed decision as to whether or not this is your sort of joint. read more

Sardine - Not seafood - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Duck Confit Salad is pretty good and I love Steamed Mussels so much. And the price is reasonable. Wonderful brunch place read more

Sardine - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Was kind of over priced and pretentious. Food was alright but I didn't see the hype for that big of a bill.

Sardine is a hard place to find if you're not a local. It is hidden by lake Monona terrace and traffic can be a pain. I've only been here for brunch, but the food was delicious. Sardine is definitely a higher end brunch spot with many options that you will crave. I had the omelet with goat cheese, bacon lardon, cherry tomatoes, and spinach which was delicious and prepared in a timely manner. This came with a side of fruit. The plates here are a bit expensive, but the food is delicious. My only regret is not trying their homemade pastries which looked incredible...until next time... read more

Sardine - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Beautiful dining area and great food! I went there with my friends for Galentine's day brunch. read more

Sardine - French toast - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Extremely elegant, love the open kitchen and professional staff, we will visit this place again for sure.

Cool little place hidden at the intersection of John nolen and Willy st. Awesome views of the lake!! They have a great selection of brunch items and booze! We got the Belgian waffle and their goat cheese omelet and they were both delicious. Highly recommend the Bloody Mary and the champagne cocktail! Classy take on some common drinks. The view is awesome but the seating is not ideal. We sat outside and it was a pretty tight squeeze (I kept getting bumped by the table behind me). The service was also super slow, which was fine because we weren't in a rush! Recommend this place if you aren't in a rush and are looking for yummy breakfast! read more

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Sardine is overlooking the lake and sweetly tucked in an older warehouse, with convenient parking available. We arrived around 5:30 on a Friday night with no reservation. The bar area was packed, but we were quickly able to slide onto a couple of barstools that just opened up. The bar staff, dressed in crisp white button up shirts and white aprons, were both friendly and attentive, as well as knowledgeable of the menu. It was obvious the very well staffed restaurant really enjoyed working with one another. My friend started with oysters, they offer two different kinds. She tried both and enjoyed them. We ordered the Sardine burger (delicious unusual topping of figs) to share that came with fries, the beet salad on a ricotta whip that was out of this world and finished with a Door County cherry cheesecake with a cornmeal crust, which was so light and creamy, perfection. There were so many unusual menu items to choose from, it's worth a visit!!! read more

Sardine - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I would like to assess Sardine as if it were two different places. #1 as a Brunch Place and #2 as a dinner establishment, because I have very different feelings towards the two. Part 1: Brunch at Sardine Do it! Get a strong drink! Get a pastry! Get the shrimp and crab cakes! These are best enjoyed with friends or loved ones. All of the food was delicious, the staff was amicable and great. Honestly, brunch here revived my appreciation for Colectivo's black and Tan coffee. Part 2: Date Night Dinner at Sardine Maybe don't do it. You are packed in the restaurant like sardines. The food is overpriced. Good, but I could make the salmon, steak, or lamb chops at home and be happier with more money in my wallet. The staff was still nice and the drinks just as strong as breakfast. It is a good dinner spot, but I think people just get a little too hyped for it. Brunch, yes. Dinner, meh. read more

Since it has been almost 6 years since my last review, I wanted to provide a refreshed review and rating for our brunch excursion this past weekend. One thing to note is truly what a beautiful space Sardine is. With an open kitchen and the exposed ceiing, the restaurant is airy, classy and romantic without being stuffy. It's just a great spot to dine in. As for brunch, it was excellent. I may get blasted for saying this but for Madison having some stellar restaurants to chose from, I think our brunch scene is lacking. Sardine has restored my faith. My better half opted for the arugula, brie, and crimini omelet while I selected the croque madame which both come with a side salad and frites. Not only is it alot of food but both tasted amazing. My dish, topped with a perfectly cooked egg, was both satisfying and rich. The omelet was generously filled with brie and mushrooms and perfectly prepared. The only critique would be the vinaigrette that the greens were tossed in. It was relatively mild and flavorless. All in all, a great meal and we will be definitely be back for more. read more

Sardine - Croque Madame - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The oysters are awesome. During dinner, the staff provided great service, providing a splendid dining experience.

We've been here a number of times and our experience has been superb each time. Love the vibe, incredible service, EXCELLENT food. I wish you'd expand your seafood offering though. One of our local favorites and "go to" places. read more

You cant beat Sardine. Whether its brunch, dinner, or the bar menu, the food will be fantastic. The owners are also great people to support and that is always an A+ for me. Servers are always around for years (at least since ive been in madison) so that is a great sign. I love the place. read more

This establishment just cannot be beat. Special occasions, business dinners, brunch, any occasion... Sardine should always be considered an option for your dining experience. Elegance and style with an uncomplicated menu right in our city. Most recently, we stopped by for dessert and an evening drink this past weekend. The hostess was kind and helpful when seating us. Our waiter was pleasant, informative, and fun. My wife does not drink much red wine, but was interested in a glass with her gateau au chocolat. Our waiter, Sam, was more than accommodating, arranging a couple of tastings before deciding on a glass that would pair perfectly. While she went for the gateau with a glass of red wine, I opted for the blood orange butter cake with clover honey ice cream that was on special and a glass of Glenlivet on the rocks. The gateau was smooth and decadent, and really brought out the flavors of the wine. The butter cake was indescribably rich with subtle tartness from the caramelized blood orange on top. Add a bit of clover honey ice cream into each bite and it is close to perfection. Previous visits had included dessert with the gateau and lemon tart, brunch with moules frites and an excellent Bloody Mary, and an elegant dinner with steak frites and cauliflower gratin; in every instance, Sardine did not disappoint. The menu is uncomplicated simplicity. However, each dish is fascinating and delicious. I love that a portion of the kitchen is open so that the inner workings of the restaurant are visible. Also, for the atmosphere and the quality of the food, the prices are somewhat reasonable. read more

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Average food experience. This place is nice because it's on the water but there are no lights so if you go for dinner and it's already dark it's almost like the water isn't even there. The "entrance" is not an entrance. I had to walk through the entire restaurant awkwardly trying to find someone to seat me because it is not clear where the hostess stand is located in relation to the door. The food was expensive and really not memorable at all. A cheaper meal could have definitely been more flavorful (there are plenty places in Madison that would match a description like that). I wouldn't go to this place again. Not that they did anything terribly wrong; the waiter was kind and the ambiance inside the restaurant was not an issue. But I go to a restaurant for the food, which, at this restaurant, is nothing special. read more

Sardine is wonderful! I have been here numerous times for both brunch and dinner. Their meals will not disappoint. If you are considering dining here, DO! Last night, we stopped for dinner. I had their punch cocktail to start at the bar. It was strong, but sweet and tasty. After we moved to our table, the waiter brought out bread and butter. We decided this was not enough of an appetizer for us! As a table we shared the cheese board and also the charcuterie. Both were fantastic! I would recommend both. For entrees, my boyfriend and I shared the lamb nightly special and the whitefish. Both meals, so good! My whitefish was super savory with the skin a little crisp (my favorite). Served on a bed of wild rice with a side salad with pepitas...yummm. The lamb was served with sausage and on a bean dish cooked in bacon fat...so good! To finish the night off, we enjoyed the chocolate cake. It was just the right amount of sweet. What a great meal! From other visits I would recommend any of their seafood, the chicken, burger and also the cheesecake. However, you can't really go wrong with any of their entrees! read more

Sardine - Brunch, pan roasted trout - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Sardine never disappoints. It is an amazing dining experience with a tranquil view over the lake. The food and drinks are always made to perfection. read more

I knew I liked Sardine from a visit or two a long long time ago, but I couldn't really say why. Luckily I have a friend who has gotten me back here twice recently! Getting there is easy enough, but with that crazy John Nolan/Blair/Willy/bike paths galore intersection, pulling into the parking lot can take some advance planning. It's very nice inside with lots of light and an outdoor patio with great views of the lake. We didn't have any difficulty getting seated, but I could see how you might really want a reservation at times. Service is good, but not always great. I started out with the Bloody Mary on both visits. It's really very good. But, it comes with lots of very small piece of chopped veggies on top (as well as some traditional garnishes). Delish, except when those tiny bit get stuck in the straw. Solution: either remove the bits beforehand, or ask for one or two of the skinny straws. Actually, the second Bloody Mary came with the skinny straws, and it was a real game changer. I've had the mushroom/arugula omelette and the shrimp cakes. I sure enjoyed the omelette, however, those shrimp cakes were outstanding. Possibly that will be all I ever order. It came with a yummy and refreshing salad and a perfectly cooked egg. We also shared some desserts on one of these visits. The lemon bar and the fruit sorbets were sooooo good! I can't wait to go back - it about time I tried their oysters! read more

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