What People Are Saying
From OpenTable.com
April 18, 2012
"The restaurant has an excellent selection of main courses. Preparation is consistently excellent and visually pleasing. Service is descreet, timely and competent."
April 6, 2012
"The fish was done to perfection. We greatly appreciate the sugar-free desserts as my husband is diabetic."
March 29, 2012
"I had not been to Otto's in a long time and forgot what a special gem it is in Madison. I have traveled to many great cities across the country and the world, and Otto's can compete with any one of the famous restaurants that puts those places on the map. Their fillet just melts in your mouth! The flavors dance with every bite. Be sure to save room for and try their bread pudding!
March 20, 2012
"We had a group of 20 in the upstairs dining room. The service and food was execellent. I would highly recommend this restaurant for group functions."
July 9, 2011
"Amazing restaurant. Delicious food, staff as friendly as home.
I can't wait to go back."
June 30, 2011
"Our table was ready when we arrived, the hostess and waitress were very welcoming and helpful, the food was superb!"
June 21, 2011
"Otto's is a hidden gem year 'round, with reliably friendly and competent staff, and is especially fun midweek in the summer. Having a glass of wine and great meal, with live blues and jazz performed on a treetop-level deck, makes for a perfect summer evening."
June 18, 2011
"Wonderful on all levels--a Madison treasure!"
May 28, 2011
"I love Otto's. The food is always delish, the service is the best in town and the ambiance is really nice. If you like a restaurant with a really cozy bar and a great bartender and increduble food, go to Otto's. I recommend the lamb and for dessert get the creme brulee!"
May 26, 2011
"The food was exceptional. It has such a relaxing abiance. The staff and waiter was friendly and very welcoming."
May 20, 2011
"We think of Otto's for most special occasions and it has never disappointed us. The food and service are consistently among the best in Madison."
May 14, 2011
"A real find. Wonderful food and service in an understated location. Would never have stopped here had it not been recommended but would go back again without hesitation."
May 14, 2011
"Pre-dinner cocktails were great in the bar!! The bar was cozy and several folks were eating in the bar having actually reserved tables there it appeared. My wife and I both had the scallops which were done to perfection. A beautiful evening."
May 7, 2011
"It was our first stop on returning from our winter in FL. We had forgotten how creative the menu is -- something for everyone! Service is always attentive and friendly, and outside dining is great, weather permitting."
April 28, 2011
"Otto's is one of the best restaurants in Madison. Always consistent and delicious food after all these years. Service always excellent as well."
February 17, 2011
"Otto's for President. I dined at Otto's this past Thursday; enjoyed their Tue through Thur Gourmet Dinner. Had I have gone on Tue and ordered the same meal, I still would have gone on Thur for a repeat performance. Yes, it was that good."
February 12, 2011
"Perfect dinner. Wonderful, expertly cooked seafood. Imaginative menu."
December 17, 2010
"Lamb chops in pomegranate reduction was awesome. Roasted Chicken and Glaze Salmon over Risotto were also very good. We were very pleased with the food and the service. We will be back."
From Yelp.com
March 23, 2012
Frank S. -- 4 Stars
"Great bar and drinks. They know how to make a decent martini. Duck, salmon, and Mediterranean platter were all excellent. This is a little, off-track place that seems to do everything well."
August 17, 2011
Lisa S. -- 5 stars
"Otto's is my go-to restaurant and bar for dates, business dinners and girlfriend get togethers. Kim, the bartender, in the quaint downstairs bar, is a favorite. She remembers your drink order -- always a dirty Belvedere martini and then a glass of fruity pinot noir -- and remembers to refill your water glass. The mussels is my favorite dish on the menu -- a fantastic appetizer or entree with a salad. When looking for more filling dishes, I'll pick the duck or the sea bass. The mediterranean platter is perfect when I feel like a veggie meal, but I also occasionally choose the bruschetta or the crab cakes, which are very nice. Always a great wine list and the upstairs dining in summer (especially Thursday jazz nights) is lovely and relaxing. No one is ever going to hurry you out. If you are looking for quick chain-restaurant service, forget it. This is a slow food place and although the services isn't slow, it's not lightening speed either. And that's the way I like it."
July 22, 2011
Kevster -- 5 stars
"Great restaurant! Great service, food and wine list. People are incredibly friendly. Forget about all the fad restaurants around Madison, this place is both classic and cutting edge with its Mediterranean menu and friendly staff."
July 27, 2010
Lucas M. -- 5 stars
"Fantastic steaks, great atmosphere, and wonderful service!"
April 24, 2011
Steve S. -- 4 stars
"Great local spot! Recommended by my old college roommate and he was right on the mark. Great service, very nice people, great little bar downstairs and the food was excellent. The sea bass was fantastic. Their warm sourdough bread is fantastic. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone - I'm going back the next time I'm in Madison."
March 21, 2010
Mindee E. -- 4 stars
"...The host was very accommodating and offered me my pick of tables. I settled on one upstairs (on the 2nd floor of the old farmhouse). I started with the cheese plate where I selected the gouda and petit frere, which came with grapes, apples, and crackers. Very nice presentation and a tasty appetizer. For my entree, I decided on the scallops. The presentation, again, was beautiful. Saffron rice in the center, scallops around the perimiter, with asparagus "bridges" hinged on the rice. I nearly finished the entire plate -- very, very delicious. I recommend the restaurant as a relaxing evening out when you want to be assured you are going to get a great meal..."
February 18, 2009
Busaba D. -- 5 stars
"The most delish food in Madison. This is where you take a date if you really want to impress him/her. The food is so good, but it can be a bit rich. Sometimes there is live music on the patio. The drinks are yum. It's not cheap here but it is well worth the price. Also nice is that Otto's is in a non-convenient location making it more of a hidden gem than a trendy restaurant."
December 4, 2009
K.C -- 5 stars
"Very good food -- and reliably good. Very nice staff and cozy atmosphere. Check out their happy hour when they serve hors d'ouevres 1/2 off."
From Urbanspoon.com
September 24, 2010
Danny G (mobile review) - Likes it
"Sea bass was excellelent! Great place! Great service too! Can't wait to try it again. It's in an old house, which I wasn't expecting, but the ambiance was very nice."
October 9, 2010
Gail Anderson Cywinski (mobile review) - Likes it
"Wonderful outdoor patio! Great food and service. Neighborhood gem!"
July 20, 2009
Karen - Really likes it
"The sea bass is wonderful. Spinach as well. Great service and ambiance."
February 15, 2009
Caimeg (mobile review) - Likes it
"Best in town."
From the Media
The Janesville Gazette, May 2009
Madison's Hidden Gem: Otto's Excels in Mediterranean Cuisine, Fine Service
(by Bill Livick)
"Otto's Restaurant & Bar is one of the understated gems of the Madison dining scene. Located in a beautifully restored 1870s stone farmhouse on Mineral Point Rd., Otto's serves first-rate Mediterranean cuisine and great drinks, and it features outstanding service in a comfortable, elegant setting....Owner Kamil Tanyeri has been running Otto's for more than 13 years and has refined it to an impeccable operation. There's plenty of onsite parking and, as mentioned, the service couldn't be better." Rated: 4.5 'plates' out of 5 for food, service and value.
The Capital Times
Best Old Favorite of 2008 (by Susan Troller)
"If it's fixed, don't break it. That's been the policy at Otto's Restaurant on Mineral Point Road for many years, and it's easy to see why customers are so loyal. There are no surprises: The food is excellent and the drinks deftly mixed and sophisticated. Sitting on the deck listening to jazz on a summer evening is as close as any grown-up is likely to get to treehouse paradise."
The Capital Times, July 2008
Fantastic Food, Jazz on Otto's Deck (by Susan Troller)
Click here to read the full review.
Isthmus, August 2008
by Jerry Minnich
"Since opening Otto's more than a dozen years ago, owner/chef Kamil Tanyeri and his wife, Dana, have built a loyal and appreciative clientele with outstanding Mediterranean and Continental cuisine, great drinks, excellent service and comfortable yet elegant ambiance. Best of all, the quality is consistent." Jerry Minnich, Isthmus, August 2008. Click hereto read the full review.
Capital Region Business Journal, August 2008
Contributed by Cindy Flinchum, Bouril Design Studio
"When I need to focus on a client and step out of the fast pace of every day, I head for Otto's...The right mix of relaxed elegance, with a feeling of privacy, and the excellent food makes this a perfect choice to bring clients...The only thing Otto's could do to improve is to open for lunch!"