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Osteria Papavero
Authentic Italian flavors with a rotating menu of game meats and fresh pasta in Madison.
4.8(5 reviews)
$$
italian
italian
pasta-shops
Fresh, seasonal dishes including handmade pasta, game meats, and seafood with a focus on authentic flavors.
Artisanal pasta cooked al dente, featuring options like pappardelle with wild boar or sausage.
Unique offerings such as wild boar, antelope, and camel, prepared with rich, savory techniques.
Expertly crafted drinks including Negronis and a curated wine list to complement your meal.
Homemade desserts like Budino di Caramello, ricotta cake, and crostata for a sweet finish.
Easy booking options to secure your table in advance, recommended due to high demand.
Authentic Italian flavors with a rotating menu of game meats and fresh pasta in Madison.
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Osteria Papavero is a beloved Italian restaurant located near the Capitol in Madison, WI, offering a daily rotating menu that highlights fresh, handmade pasta and unique game meats like wild boar and antelope. With a 4.6/5 rating from over 620 reviews, we provide a cozy atmosphere perfect for intimate dinners or special occasions. Our dishes feature rich, balanced flavors, complemented by expertly crafted cocktails like Negronis and delightful desserts such as Budino di Caramello. We recommend reservations to ensure a spot at this popular dining destination.
Osteria killed It tonight. Last night of restaurant week. The soup was phenomenal. The zuppetta was outstanding. We both had the sea trout, which was perfectly prepared over a bed of fantastic caponata. The negronis were the best in Madison. The deserts were also perfect: the ricotta cake and the crostata. Perfect meal. Thanks.
This place is hands down the best spot for Italian game meat. I’ve tried their wild boar, antelope, and even camel here. I’m really hoping to get a chance to try their beef too.
The appetizers were excellent, and the pasta dishes were pretty good as well. If you’re near the Capitol, it’s worth stopping by, but I wouldn’t go out of my way just to visit. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was fairly average, and the music was a bit loud. The prices weren’t particularly cheap, but not overly expensive either.
I recommend making a reservation since it gets busy even on a weekday. Arrived at 6:30pm for dinner. Ordered the Cinghiale pasta. The meat was firm and rich in flavour and the pappardelle was cooked al dente. For dessert, we ordered the Budino di Caramello. I did not have high expectations for the dish but was pleasantly surprised - sweet, buttery, and simply delicious.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Madison, with a daily rotating menu. We sat at the high top and had a nice open window view. My favorite was the pasta — extremely fresh and the sausage was cooked perfectly. Great place for fresh Italian food and rich but not heavy flavors.
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