I really wish I liked this place. Great location, fun atmosphere and has the potential to be great. I was really hoping to like the food here but it was bad. I got the mushroom spaghetti and it tasted like they mixed watered down Ragu and a can of 89¢ mushrooms together and dumped it on cold spaghetti noodles. I also had their cheesy bread which was quite literally a piece of sandwich bread that still had sesame seeds on it. I really wanted to like this place but it was not good and I hope they hire a chef soon because I want to see the place thrive.
Stephanie Fuller
Hope they remain open. Because the 3 times that I went they were great! The last time we had to wait awhile, which was fine because my husband and I know a lot of places are short staffed as it is. Even though we waiting awhile we were not disappointed. Also got a birthday dessert, which was delicious!
Steven Hamilton
We had a group of 12 friends and family in town for a gathering and they were able to accommodate us on a busy Friday night with a much shorter wait than we were expecting.Food came out quickly, and was SO good!10 stars!
Muhang Li
Mediocre food. The decor is nostalgic and cozy. We live near this place and finally went at Valentine's Day. Heard that it's not great so didn't hold much hope. The Mushroom Alfredo was plain and flavorless. Didn't understand the menu so ordered Bella Pizza, and it was IMPOSSIBLY SWEET. We tried, and we failed. Alcohols are not bad, which have nothing to do with the cook.
Li M.
Mediocre food. The decor is nostalgic and cozy. We live near this place and finally went at Valentine's Day. Heard that it's not great so didn't hold much hope. The Mushroom Alfredo was bland and flavorless. Didn't understand the menu so ordered Bella Pizza, and it was IMPOSSIBLY SWEET. We tried, and we failed. Alcohols are not bad, which have nothing to do with the cook.
Gina P
Bland food and inattentive staff. I've given this place multiple chances and each time have not had a great experience. Every time I've been ther the restaurant is not busy. The most recent time, after I was seated, a waitress never came (waited 15 minutes). Had to go and ask for a menu and to have a waitress sent over. Their pasta sauce is watery and their food lacks flavor. Instead of going here, try one of the many other Italian restaurants in Madison instead. Don't waste your time or money here.
David P.
Love this place! Their staff, owner are truly the greatest -- and their food is phenomenal. (Also: the sourdough bread is heavenly!)
Amy Wiess
We haven't been here in awhile. We're only in Madison for football weekends. The thin crust pizza was delicious. That ambiance is warm. We definitely will be back.
Bob Kreider
The girabaldi was fantastic. Great selection of beers. Fun atmosphere in the bar.
Shahaed Hasan
A traditional Italian restaurant with scenic views of the lake and subpar, overpriced food.The service was good and the restaurant has clean, old school decor. In addition, the views are fantastic if you're sat by the lake.Unfortunately their food is a massive dissapointment. For $16 you can have spaghetti and meatballs but the sause is generic and flavorless. In addition the pasta was drenched in the sauce (see picture) and it failed to properly coat the pasta when taking a bite. Seems they didn't finish the pasta in the sauce or reduce the sause from whatever jar.My friends had the alfredo dishes and they lacked in flavor also. They asked our waiter for salt and pepper to add to the dish.In addition, the pasta on the menu is labeled "fresh pasta" but when I asked our waitress she informed me the pasta wasn't actually fresh, but standard dried pasta. So don't let the menu fool you.Overall, beautiful menu, but poor quality food. When you take the price into consideration, the value of the restaurant rapidly diminishes.
Paisans food is my happy place. My childhood was tough but when we went to Paisans back at university square it was one of the few places my family got along. It’s was always going to be a good day when we got to eat at Paisans. Now in my 30s I still get warm happy feelings. I love Paisans
Luke Paulson
Best pizza in the Madison area hands down! The staff are wonderful people and always willing to assist when needed. The mood of this place is really calm and beautifully set right next to the lake with a gorgeous view.
Cynthia Floodstrand
Dreaming about a Porta Salad ...yum!! Closed due to building stability ? Please protect the stain glass windows !!portSo q
Archie A.
Paisans what a cool place very 70s 80s feeling maybe even 60s great pasta great Italian food all the way around The bartender was especially nice a taller gentleman in glasses he was quick with a quip and very knowledgeable about the food menu and Italian drinks what a fun place to bring the whole family parking really close
Kathy K.
Unsatisfactory. Took about 30 minutes from being sat to finally getting our orders taken. Upon finally receiving our food, everyone in the group was displeased with the food. My dish, the spaghetti with meat sauce (one of the hardest meals to mess up might I add) was atrocious. The sauce was watery, and much to acidic. The Parmesan cheese, which I assumed would work to save the meal only made it worse. It was packaged and with a bitter and rotten taste. Overall, the evening took too long, with food that was not worth it. Displeased.
I really wish I liked this place. Great location, fun atmosphere and has the potential to be great. I was really hoping to like the food here but it was bad. I got the mushroom spaghetti and it tasted like they mixed watered down Ragu and a can of 89¢ mushrooms together and dumped it on cold spaghetti noodles. I also had their cheesy bread which was quite literally a piece of sandwich bread that still had sesame seeds on it. I really wanted to like this place but it was not good and I hope they hire a chef soon because I want to see the place thrive.
Hope they remain open. Because the 3 times that I went they were great! The last time we had to wait awhile, which was fine because my husband and I know a lot of places are short staffed as it is. Even though we waiting awhile we were not disappointed. Also got a birthday dessert, which was delicious!
We had a group of 12 friends and family in town for a gathering and they were able to accommodate us on a busy Friday night with a much shorter wait than we were expecting.Food came out quickly, and was SO good!10 stars!
Mediocre food. The decor is nostalgic and cozy. We live near this place and finally went at Valentine's Day. Heard that it's not great so didn't hold much hope. The Mushroom Alfredo was plain and flavorless. Didn't understand the menu so ordered Bella Pizza, and it was IMPOSSIBLY SWEET. We tried, and we failed. Alcohols are not bad, which have nothing to do with the cook.
Mediocre food. The decor is nostalgic and cozy. We live near this place and finally went at Valentine's Day. Heard that it's not great so didn't hold much hope. The Mushroom Alfredo was bland and flavorless. Didn't understand the menu so ordered Bella Pizza, and it was IMPOSSIBLY SWEET. We tried, and we failed. Alcohols are not bad, which have nothing to do with the cook.
Bland food and inattentive staff. I've given this place multiple chances and each time have not had a great experience. Every time I've been ther the restaurant is not busy. The most recent time, after I was seated, a waitress never came (waited 15 minutes). Had to go and ask for a menu and to have a waitress sent over. Their pasta sauce is watery and their food lacks flavor. Instead of going here, try one of the many other Italian restaurants in Madison instead. Don't waste your time or money here.
Love this place! Their staff, owner are truly the greatest -- and their food is phenomenal. (Also: the sourdough bread is heavenly!)
We haven't been here in awhile. We're only in Madison for football weekends. The thin crust pizza was delicious. That ambiance is warm. We definitely will be back.
The girabaldi was fantastic. Great selection of beers. Fun atmosphere in the bar.
A traditional Italian restaurant with scenic views of the lake and subpar, overpriced food.The service was good and the restaurant has clean, old school decor. In addition, the views are fantastic if you're sat by the lake.Unfortunately their food is a massive dissapointment. For $16 you can have spaghetti and meatballs but the sause is generic and flavorless. In addition the pasta was drenched in the sauce (see picture) and it failed to properly coat the pasta when taking a bite. Seems they didn't finish the pasta in the sauce or reduce the sause from whatever jar.My friends had the alfredo dishes and they lacked in flavor also. They asked our waiter for salt and pepper to add to the dish.In addition, the pasta on the menu is labeled "fresh pasta" but when I asked our waitress she informed me the pasta wasn't actually fresh, but standard dried pasta. So don't let the menu fool you.Overall, beautiful menu, but poor quality food. When you take the price into consideration, the value of the restaurant rapidly diminishes.
Restaurantji Recommends
Paisans food is my happy place. My childhood was tough but when we went to Paisans back at university square it was one of the few places my family got along. It’s was always going to be a good day when we got to eat at Paisans. Now in my 30s I still get warm happy feelings. I love Paisans
Best pizza in the Madison area hands down! The staff are wonderful people and always willing to assist when needed. The mood of this place is really calm and beautifully set right next to the lake with a gorgeous view.
Dreaming about a Porta Salad ...yum!! Closed due to building stability ? Please protect the stain glass windows !!portSo q
Paisans what a cool place very 70s 80s feeling maybe even 60s great pasta great Italian food all the way around The bartender was especially nice a taller gentleman in glasses he was quick with a quip and very knowledgeable about the food menu and Italian drinks what a fun place to bring the whole family parking really close
Unsatisfactory. Took about 30 minutes from being sat to finally getting our orders taken. Upon finally receiving our food, everyone in the group was displeased with the food. My dish, the spaghetti with meat sauce (one of the hardest meals to mess up might I add) was atrocious. The sauce was watery, and much to acidic. The Parmesan cheese, which I assumed would work to save the meal only made it worse. It was packaged and with a bitter and rotten taste. Overall, the evening took too long, with food that was not worth it. Displeased.