If I had two words: Albanian sausage. This is truly an unassuming place with very friendly staff and fantastic food. I can only comment on the breakfast (Albanian sausage skillet, Albanian sausage sides...notice a pattern?), but the lunch offerings look great as well. The Turkish coffee is also fantastic and tops any I've had in the area. Bonus points if you put some salt and red pepper flakes in a dish and dip the sausage in them. You have to try it to see how it makes a difference. read more

Sofra Family Bistro - Albanian Skillet and Homemade Albanian Sausage side. Note the salt and red pepper flake plate. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Middleton, Wisconsin

Came for brunch with some friends, our waiter Aldon was so attentive. This family owned restaurant really went above and beyond to give us the best experience. I enjoyed a skillet, the Albanian sausage is amazing. I got a gyro to go because everything here is made in house. That was also amazing too. I will def be coming back! read more

Great food. Very fast and friendly service. The owner an staff are to notch. Very good selection size on menu.

One of my favorite restaurants in the greater Madison area. The Albanian sausage and burgers are outrageously good!

Except for the Albanian sausage, was very unimpressed by the brunch here. Albanian sausage and eggs: pretty good, based on the sausage and eggs Eggs Florentine: over cooked eggs, broken hollandaise, not super pleasant Black cherry crepe: overly crisp and too sweet, both in terms of the preserved cherries and the cream inside Turkish coffee: mostly grounds, but came with a piece of Turkish delight Ambiance and service were also mediocre at best. Unfortunately, not with the visit. read more

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Black Cherry Crepes are amazing. Absolutely incredible. Ate here last week and have thought about those every single day since. Great service from the waiter who recommended the proper way to eat Albanian sausage- which was delicious along with a nice Turkish coffee. My brothers thoroughly enjoyed some of their more American breakfast fares- they certainly have a lot to offer. Bought 2 bottles of their hot sauce. Couldn't recommend Sofra any higher but they deserve 10 stars read more

I brought my son here for a special event. My review will probably reflect more on the catering aspect versus the regular menu you'd usually deal with. The staff were very friendly and attentive. I thought they were going to pass out when I asked for a diet soda or a water (since they were providing fancier drinks for our group). They eventually took care of it, but it was a bit funny how they reacted to my request. I thought the food was very good. It's a big "fancy" - "lamburgers", gourmet-style pizzas, etc. Sofra seems to try to provide upscale food for reasonable "regular night out" prices. I enjoyed several foods myself - the lamburgers were very flavorful - I could have eaten way too many of those, but there was more to try! The beef and chicken skewers were great - good cuts of meat and not over-seasoned. I think when you order off the menu, they come more as a kabob (with veggies on them). Our catering just had the meat - and that was fine for me. As I said, everything looked really good. The facilities are quaint. On a busy night, you might have to get cozy with folks eating near you. If you're okay with that, you're good to go. If you're looking for something more intimate and quiet, you might have to ask for special seating, if that's even an option. I'd eat here again, but I know it's not in my wife's wheelhouse. Maybe a work lunch/dinner will land me here again. I'm in! read more

I go to Sofra's often and enjoyed their great service and well-prepared and delicious food. I had breakfast there today and they had a new waiter; a young man I'd never seen there before. He could not have been more bored. When he took my order, he was supposed to ask which sides I wanted. He didn't. Just brought out the meal with hash browns. Not friendly in the least. Bring back the pretty,dark-haired lady who's usually there. read more

Always a delight to come back to Sofra. The staff is always very friendly and courteous. Their Albanian sausage never disappoints. Our first stop for the New Year and place delivered again. We tried their special- churo French toast. This is one heavy breakfast. There were three on my plate and I could only barely eat one and a half. It was awesome though. Must try if you come visit. read more

Sofra Family Bistro - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Middleton, Wisconsin

Went to Sofra for breakfast, Family business, very friendly and amazing food. So fresh and tasty. I recommend this place to anyone. You have to stop by!!!! read more

The service was excellent. This is a family business and everyone is invested. We are on a carb free diet and they were able to accommodate us. It is a busy and popular place. The ambiance is that of a family breakfast diner. We'll reserve our last star for a place that is far beyond expectations. read more

Happy to have found this place! Had traditional American and variations of brunch / lunch items. The regular coffee was ok. Husband had the special sausage sandwich which was flavorful! I had the irish Benedict which was also tasty! The eggs were a bit overcooked though so no oozing of the eggs. The hash browns were excellent and crispy! Would come again to try other items. read more

Sofra Family Bistro - Irish benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Middleton, Wisconsin

Great breakfast with very friendly staff. Don't miss their special sausages, very tasty!

Probably one of the best restaurants in all of Madison. The food is different and creative and all of the ingredients seem extremely fresh and high quality. Every bite of every meal I have ever had from this restaurant has been cooked perfectly. Scrambled eggs come to your table with perfect texture but still nice and hot. I can't possibly say enough good things about this place. If you're not going here, you are missing out. read more

I went here with a good friend for our weekly breakfast and catch up. We were definitely not regretful of our choice. I got to try some unique things that were on my list. First off was the turkish coffee. Our waitress was extremely helpful after she learned it was my first time. She gave me the full rundown as well as some history on it. It was delicious by the way. Secondly I tried the Albanian sausage and eggs. Again I was given tips on how to bring out the full potential of flavors of the sausage. Again it was amazing! I will most certainly be going here again. We'll worth the time. read more

This place was alright. They don't do outdoor seating on Sundays, which is a bummer. The staff were very attentive, but I didn't think the food was really worth coming back for. You could get the same caliber meal at a family dinner. I ordered the Albanian Benedict special, and my friend ordered the Greek omelet. Mine was barely warm, and though it tasted fine, they lost points for the temp factor. read more

Sofra Family Bistro - Albanian Benedict special. With house-made Albanian sausage. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Middleton, Wisconsin

Staff is friendly and very knowledgeable! Food is amazing and comes out fresh and hot within five minutes of ordering. I highly recommend the Turkish coffee and Armenian omelet! read more

Sofra Family Bistro - Armenian omelet...the sauce on top of fantastic! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Middleton, Wisconsin

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The worst service ever! The person taking reservations lost seven customers only because she would not seat three people at a five top and wanted to save it. She was rude, obnoxious and unprofessional. Will never go there again. read more

Always good food and service. A favorite of mine for breakfast. I have never had a bad meal.

I have been back many times since my original review and was back there for lunch today. Awesome, the food the service everything. Awesome. They really do a great job, the freshness of ingredients, the flavors. Its like if your grandmother was also a professor at a culinary institute of some sort. Awesome, that's really all you need to know. read more

My first impression when I walked in was "omg what is that delicious smell!!" Then charming and cozy atmosphere caught my attention. Overall it is a very nice place for breakfast/ lunch/ dinner. I had the Albanian skillet with poached egg and Turkish coffee. The skillet was very good but the coffee was something else. It's like a very strong espresso yet very creamy even though they didn't put any cream or milk in there. I am a coffee lover and this is definitely one of the best. My boyfriend had a lamb burger and the patty was so amazing. read more

Sofra Family Bistro - Turkish coffee. Very strong like an espresso yet very creamy. I love it! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Middleton, Wisconsin

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Home made Armenian sausages! Turkish coffee!! Gyros and eggs for breakfast! I have died and gone to heaven! Samira is a total delight.

The service is great, the food came fast and hot. We had Gyros, we both liked them. They are only open for breakfast and lunch due to staffing shortages. I highly recommend this little place. Go on a nice day and sit outside in the shade. read more

I really enjoy this place!! The menu has a great selection and the food always comes out delicious. The staff is super friendly and everyone in the community is so nice that walks by. I recommend this place for anyone and I will be a regular here from now on read more

This was in a cute area. Our 1st time here. The place is actually big it has a downstairs snack room with bar and the front part. Waitress was very nice Bloody Marys good and lunch also tasty. The fries were very good. Deco was nice big pictures on the walls. I would come back and try breakfast. read more

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If you want to get away from the chain store restaurants that dominate in this area and try some excellent Mediterranean food for dinner, this is the place. As long as you aren't looking for fine dining. Run by an Albanian native, Sofra has an eclectic menu. We went all Mediterranean, and loved it. First the wine list: Three or four dozen wines, good choices from all over the world, with only one priced over $30. Great start. Once we understood the owner's background, we decided to go all appetizers. We had calamari, hummus, olives, and dolma for a light dinner. The servings were all large, accompanied by plenty of pita bread. The olives were good, the calamari was predictable, the hummus was delightful. The dolma: Absolutely delicious. The best I've ever had. They were cooked well so the grape leaves were nice and tender. The rice and feta combination inside was just right. Then the yoghurt/dill/oil sauce made them outstanding, with a hint of tartness and a burst of flavor with each bite. Nothing dull about them. They were memorable, enough so that I'll make an effort to go to Sofra's when in the area just to have the dolma again. The decor matches the menu - a bit of everything. Service was good. This isn't a white table cloth restaurant. It's a fun place with some outstanding Mediterranean food. read more

Went to the Bavaria this morning for breakfast...it's pretty much your local family restaurant...complete with flowery booths and more than a handful of "regulars". The only thing I didn't like was the fact that my waitress seemed in a rush to get my order. She asked me if I wanted coffee before I even got my butt in the chair(I DID look tired...), and came back with a cup in 30 seconds...and wanted my order. I asked for a minute, and that's what she gave me. Feeling rushed(I was torn between the blintzes and the eggs Benedict), I went for the blintzes. They were quite good(better than the coffee which was nothing better than tolerable). Really, two could have split one order. I'd go again, but I guess I should have my order on-hand. read more

Could have been one of the worst meals we have had in ten years. I got the baked cod with roasted potatoes. The fish was a perfectly shaped rectangle that tasted like cardboard. Had to have been from a box. Also, still wondering how to make roasted potatoes tasteless, but they did it. My mom didn't even finish her bowl of soup, and it was all she ordered. It was my second visit, and deinitely my last. Don't waste your money here. read more

Fantastic! I went here on 4/5/14 for lunch with my husband. We had coffee to start, which was delicious. They use their own blend that's locally roasted. It was just what we needed for a mid-morning pick me up. My husband ordered eggs, toast, and their own (delicious) Albanian sausage. He liked his meal a lot, but my meal stole the show. I ordered the Beef Skewers entree which consisted of steak tenderloin medallions seasoned with Mediterranean spices and served on steel skewers. The steak was served with grilled zucchini slices, homemade yogurt-dill sauce, a delicious veggie-rice pilaf, and a side of homemade hummus. Where do I begin with my praise? First of all, the beef was **tender**, which was my biggest concern when I ordered. They asked me how I wanted the beef cooked (medium rare), and then delivered me perfectly seasoned beef with a perfectly pink medium rare center. The yogurt-dill sauce was great, and I used it as a dip for my meat. The zucchini was not mushy and had cute grill marks on it. I don't love zucchini, but I was able to eat a few pieces of it, which is a true testament to how well it was prepared. The hummus was awesome too...except that the hummus was sort of on its own, so I ordered a side of pita to dip in it. The pita was warm and crunchy around the edges when it was served, and it was the perfect complement to the rich and garlicky hummus. On top of the excellent food, service was extremely friendly, prompt, and the waitress tasked with refilling water and coffee was on her game. Our glasses never went empty for more than 10 seconds before she was back with a refill. This was on a Saturday morning after we waited for 5 minutes for a seat. The place was pretty much at capacity, but the service was still top-notch. The only negative in my eyes was that the menu is a bit pricey, and the portions are a little on the small side. I've never been the type of diner to equate large portions with a good restaurant experience, and I have a normal to small appetite anyway, so it wasn't a problem with me. However, a big burly man might have an issue with portion size. I also feel the price reflects the quality of the food, and the old addage "you get what you pay for" holds true. Finally, it's only a couple dollars more expensive than going to someplace like Perkins, and it is 100000000 times better in every way! Next time you want to go out for lunch or dinner, give Sofra a try. It's awesome and I guarantee you'll have a great experience there. read more

I decided to stop at this Albanian diner on my bike ride today to try something new outside of downtown Madison. Overall, I thought it was good but not outstanding. The sausage is very good and as you can see from other posts recommended by a number people. The one thing that I really like about it is the number of healthily options for a diner. Sometimes that's hard to come by but they make it a point to be a bit healthier. read more

You have to try this place! I am a fan! The food is terrific and service is outstanding!! Driving around after some plans fell through I let my stomach be my guide and wound up here. As I sat down a woman who I assume is the owner greeted me and made me feel very welcome which was nice because I felt a little out of place going to a restaurant on a friday night alone. My waitress was also very nice and very genuine. I ordered the Mediterranean White fish which came in a tomato based sauce that I can not stop thinking about! Forgot to mention that I started off with a tortilla soup which was surprisingly good for a restaurant that wasnt a Mexican restaurant. I went for the gusto and ordered a coconut pie for desert with a dessert wine which was a mix of 3 reds and some cocoa. No complaints!! Everything was amazing! I went back a couple of days later and tried the rotisserie chicken with rice and grilled veggies. Again no complaints. Amazing!! That meal started with Albanian soup that was great. I love this place and cant wait to take the man. The portions are huge and the plates are filling. read more

Albanian Qebap with wedding soup (fridays for the soup) and a Capital Amber... At almost every place we go, i will try something different each time (*if we go back) to round out my experience and try to find something i really like... I don't think i can move past this one the menu; it's really that good. It was also great to see our server really enjoying that we were loving the food too read more

Came here with a group of 14 after searching and finding in Yelp (in town from New York). No issue on holding a reservation...and managing a late 4 person addition. Food and service was as advertised....very tasty and nice people. Without a doubt the best options are anything with the homemade sausage. Best bet: Turkish Coffee and the Albanian Skillet. Enjoy! We did! read more

Ordered Portobello beef but no longer menu item. Order Reubens sandwich , cabbage salad, and tea. Enjoyed Reubens and cabage salad real hit the spot. Will definitely return. read more

Came here for breakfast on a Sunday - I made a reservation and our party of 3 were seated within 5 minutes of getting there. The interior is cute, nothing extraordinary but it feels pretty cozy. Our drink order was taken pretty quickly too once we sat down. Good coffee - however I wish they would have brought some cream with it. I'm not a fan of the room temperature cream packets that have been sitting on the table for god knows how long. We also didn't have to wait long for our food. I ordered a Breakfast Quesadilla with a side order of hash browns. The quesadilla was yummy. Full of cheese, eggs and Chorizo. It was still crisp which I appreciated (sometimes quesadillas can get pretty soggy). My meal came with fresh fruit and salsa and sour cream on the side. The hash browns were also tasty. A little under-seasoned, but nothing a little table salt and pepper can't fix! Price was a little high for what you get. But the food was good, so we'll probably be back. read more

2's little harsh, it's more like 2.5. I smelled bleach as soon as I sat down at a booth near restroom. But that was only a warning sign. While my friends seemed to enjoy their omelet and benedict for brunch, my so-called Belgian Waffle suffered from a serious identity crisis. I want to know what was Belgian Waffle about it. What I got was a pale colored, flavorless slab with out-of can syrup/juice immersed soggy mess. Wow, really. How could you do that to a plate of waffle? The service was ok. Pleasant, but without a charm. The place gets busier with after-church crowd on Sunday. So timing is a key. read more

The atmosphere and food were fantastic. The red pepper dip was out of this world. The presentation and flavor were exceptional. You're not getting a chain restaurant dining experience when you come here. You're getting a home cooking family flavor in a modern bistro dining experience. The price also can't be beat. read more

Just ate at Sofra for the first time in a couple years, I think. It was delicious and the service was as good as I remember. In years past I cannot say the food was more than just average, but the dish I had today was something I will definitely go back for. At my dining companion's recommendation, I ordered the Albanian Qebap (Sausages) - All-natural, homemade lamb and beef sausages, grilled and served with scrambled eggs and homemade potatoes, skillet style. The sausages had a sweet taste with a hint of something familiar that I could not identify (old age). Normally they are served with fries and Shephard's salad, which my friend had (his usual when he eats here). Great value for the portion. Cost us $15 for lunch after tax/before tip. Service was very friendly and attentive. It was great sitting out on the sidewalk. We interacted with many neighbors and friendly faces walking by. Cannot wait to go back read more

Nice breakfast/brunch spot in quaint Middleton. Outdoor tables available. Our party had a variety of breakfast plates and we loved them all. Most notably was the house made Albanian sausage. It seemed like the restaurant took a lot of pride in their sausage - AS WELL THEY SHOULD!! It was amazing! The flavors, especially when paired with some salt and chili flakes was very tasty. They do a good Turkish coffee as well and the waitress we had was engaging and pleasant. Back to the sausage - it was incredible. A mix of beef and lamb the flavor was made for breakfast and coffee, so good! read more

We have come here for brunch twice since moving to the Madison area a month ago, and we love it. The Albanian and Southwestern skillets are both delicious and you can tell the ingredients are fresh and perfectly seasoned. You also have to try their black cherry crepes, they are mouthwatering good. I have had good crepes before and these are honestly some of the best I have ever had. It's a bit pricey, but definitely worth it for special occasions or any time you want to have a nice breakfast or lunch. read more