Calderone Club - Downtown Milwaukee

In a town known for beer, this Italian restaurant is a hidden gem. Let me preface that I travel and eat out a lot and this was some of the best Italian food I’ve had in a very long time. Excellent flavors and large portions abound. You can also tell everything is made in house from scratch. You will clean your plate and ask for more. I’m not typically a cheesecake fan, but this one melts in your mouth and I’d say definitely get it. If you love Italian, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy some of the best!

Service was great, we were seated very quickly, regardless of reservation, and got our food within 15 minutes. We were in and out of there in less than an hour. Food was awesome! My sister’s chicken parmesan tasted wonderful, and the pasta sauce I got was to die for. The stuffed noodles I had were okay, not as much flavor as I’d like. The first round of bread we got was pretty hard, you could probably hear me trying to chew it (with my mouth closed) from a table or two away haha.

someone please tell me if there was a split fee mentioned under the chicken fettuccine alfredo. we ordered a nearly $30 pasta to share but there is “a split fee”, where it costs an additional $10 to put the pasta into 2 separate bowls. never seen anything like that before, if a restaurant knows your sharing it’s clearly because the people do not want to spend ridiculous amounts of money on one plate. other places will simply ask if you want to share the bowl or have another bowl brought out to you, which we would’ve preferred either way. the server claimed it was on the menu, but clearly at this point the menus had already been taken so we couldn’t confirm that was the truth.

A thoroughly enjoyable meal before a concert downtown. You have to be comfortable with your chair touching a strangers chair, because the tables are packed in, and all the voices make for a lively, loud atmosphere. Personally I liked it. We started with a caprese salad which was very good. They served good, slightly warmed bread and butter, it comes with the meal but we requested it before the meal and they accommodated us. I had the gnocchi and meatballs which was delicious, my wife had the margarita pizza which was also tasty. Nothing was so good I would purposely travel there for, but a very solid choice if you’re in town at dinner time.

Overall our experience was great. Our server Whitney was fantastic. The food was delicious! The atmosphere is both a positive and negative-gives you the authentic vibe but when the restaurant is packed, it is hard to have a conversation. Our table was on the small side for four adults. Expensive menu but you get what pay for…..Lastly plan ahead to find parking as it can be a daunting task.

First off, the food is amazing. I ordered the penne con salsiccia. A generous serving of sausage for the amount of pasta, and the flavor of both the sausage and the sauce was excellent. However, I feel it was a bit pricey, as well as the drinks. I've had a better quality old fashioned for a significantly lower price. Although I also ordered a limoncello which was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it. I thought the tables were packed together unnecessarily tightly. It felt like I was right next to the people sitting at other tables around me. My friend's chair was in what should have been an aisle. Another small thing is that it felt like our waitress was pushing us a bit much to order more items, especially considering prices. All in all, a good experience, but the food quality is the biggest part.

Our group of 6 had dinner here before a show downtown on a Tuesday evening. We made our reservation weeks in advance because we wanted to try the food. The reservation was for 5pm and we weren’t seated until 5:20. None of the employees saw issue with this and acted annoyed that we cared about being seated late despite explaining we were going to the show. Once seated, the experience only got worse. The tables were jammed in to the point that one would think they were above the fire code for such a small place. Not only were our chairs touching other diners, but then the wait staff would come by and push us out of the way to get around the dining room. Mind you, this was them shoving us into the table without hesitation despite one member of our party being visibly pregnant and getting smooshed. A server didn’t come take a drink order or food order until 5:30 (after we had to ask who our server was). The food came fast. Was nothing special and overpriced for what you experience. Won’t be going again. There are far nicer restaurants in town. Don’t waste your money. The chef (owner?) was standing in the bar a great portion of the night talking to guests he knew. Let’s do them all a favor and just let his friends go there from now on.

The best place in the world . Make you feel like family. Chicken Marsala Pizza 🍕 You can eat anything here and will be pleased. Have an old fashioned!!! The fried Eggplant 🍆 is amazing

This was my first time coming here. Fortunately we were able to get seated since it gets very busy here and you would need reservations. We were seated right away and greeted by Alessandro our waiter who was absolutely wonderful. I ordered an old fashioned which was perfect. We then ordered the raviolis for our appetizer which we devoured. For our meal we ordered a medium margarita pizza. I can't believe how delicious this pizza was. The crust was perfect. So much flavor and so fresh. The best margarita pizza i have ever had. I do want to point out our waiter Alessandro, who was so sweet and funny. He arranged my silverware for me as the food came out and its the little things like that, that i appreciate. Top notch service here. We are definitely coming back!

My experience was skewed based on poor customer service on arrival. Side note, Calderone's dishes are impeccable however Not generous. On 12/26/24, I and 4 mates arrived at the Calderone Club and were immediately informed by hosts that we couldn't be sat at any of the 5 open tables in-front of us, not to mention, the visible seating behind us because of a "rush." We'll call it customer-de prioritization. This resulted in my group being sat at the end of the bar, all while being passive-aggressively served by the Owner and his bartender! Also, my girlfriend was harassed by two men while there, including the Owner himself. Just gets better. Ambiance was drowned out by the disrespect. -Milwaukee resident

I made reservations for a group of 7 for 5 pm on the day before Thanksgiving. We needed to come in early because we had tickets to a show that started at 7. I was surprised to see that the restaurant was packed when we got there- thankfully our table was waiting for us. We were seated right away but for at least 5 minutes we sat without any type of greeting. It was busy but I saw tables that were seated after us being greeted- we felt a bit invisible. We did have a waitress claim us as her table eventually and she provided good service. Our food was very good- we ordered a pizza, two kid's spaghetti and meatball, fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, cannelloni, ravioli, garlic bread and bruschetta. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. However, the restaurant was SO LOUD. No one at our table was able to hear anyone unless they were immediately next to the person speaking. I could not hear my mother who was sitting across from me, let alone my husband who was a seat down and across from me. It was extremely disappointing as we were looking forward to a good meal with good company and we were not able to enjoy our experience because of the noise in the restaurant. For the amount we spent on dinner, we would have liked to enjoy some conversation with each other as well as good food.

Calderone Club is hands down one of the best Italian restaurants in Milwaukee! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with the warm, cozy ambiance of a classic Italian trattoria. The service was impeccable--friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about every dish on the menu. We started with the garlic bread and meatballs. These are the best meatballs I've EVER had. Make sure you order some. The group of us shared a few entrees: the chicken parm, seafood linguine and pesto ravioli. All were simply divine! Wish I snapped pics of them, but everyone just immediately dug in. You can tell the ingredients are fresh and the recipes are authentic. To top it all off, their wine selection is fantastic, with many great Italian options to pair with your meal. We finished with limoncello, which was the perfect sweet ending. If you're looking for authentic Italian food, exceptional service, and an intimate atmosphere, Calderone Club is a must-visit in Milwaukee. Whether you're out for a romantic date night or a family dinner, this place won't disappoint. We'll definitely be back!

Date of visit: October 3, 2024 We hadn't been here in years as we just don't eat downtown all that often, but we met up with some friends and had a wonderful time. First, the service was excellent. Our server was very attentive and we wanted for nothing the entire meal: waters were filled frequently, fresh plates delivered at the perfect time, and empty plates cleared quickly. The food was a bit of a mixed bag, leaning towards good; the cheese garlic bread and the pizza were both overcooked just a tad. The fried ravioli appetizer was perfect. My husband felt that it was odd that the shrimp alfredo was served with the tails on still and that it wasn't super flavorful, but he still cleaned the plate. And he had no qualms with the turtle cheesecake. The main event however, was the tiramisu. It was perfection! I would definitely come back and perhaps try a pasta dish.

The owner is a friend of a friend, I was in town for business so had to try it I Gino the owner and he Rocks The food was amazing priced right and service was top rate I had an old fashioned drink it was delicious It was full when we got there, it took about 20 for a table. While waiting we sat at the bar with some locals who had dinner there. They raved about the food. We had Calamari it was perfectly made. They claim the world's best meatballs, so we had to have those they were very tasty. I had Penne with spicy sausage and it was amazing. Im looking forward to coming back.

This review is based on a carry out order. Such a cute restaurant, and boy were they busy for a Saturday night. We were staying at the hotel across the street and were constantly recommended it. So we decided to pick it up for dinner and it certainly did not disappoint. We got an order of spaghetti and meatballs and their gnocchi. With an extra side of meatballs. The meatballs were delicious. The gnocchi tasted full of flavor and super fresh, as was the spaghetti. We were so full but couldn't help but keep eating. We also order some garlic bread, and I think that was the downfall they were rock hard. There was supposed to be melted mozzarella on top, but it was barely melted. For the cost of it was rather disappointing. We also ordered a side salad to share. The portion was pretty great but we had most the core of the romaine for the greens for the ceasar. Next time we're in town, I'm looking forward to dining in the restaurant and try other dishes!

Calderone Club is a great place to come with family, friends, or a date night! I've tried many different dishes including Pepperoni and Onion Pizza, Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna, and Chicken Parmesan, and each dish has been a delightful experience. The flavors are rich and comforting, making it hard to choose a favorite! For cocktails, I love the Espresso Martini and Manhattan, both delicious and perfectly crafted. I love sitting at the bar, where the atmosphere is vibrant and the staff is friendly. It's a great spot to unwind after a long day.

Delicious food and expansive wine list. The service was attentive but no pressure to leave. Will definitely be back!

Great location for dinner before a show at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. I recommend a reservation, which we did have. This place fills up fast. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly. We had an order of garlic bread, the gnocchi, tortellini, and the rigatoni followed by spumoni for dessert. My gnocchi was fine but I really liked my sister's tortellini. Our mom really enjoyed the bolognese sauce with her rigatoni. The spumoni was delicious and I highly recommend ordering it. The tables are fairly close together so this place gets loud. It also felt like I did a lot zigzagging to get to the bathroom.

Old Italian, the food is excellent....bartenders not so much as a solo they ignored me ......however it was NYE and they were busy. As a restaurant critic asking questions I think they were a bit intimidated, all good ....perhaps viewed me as the PIA customer...

We had an amazing experience at Calderone Club! I made a reservation a week in advance, and I highly recommend doing so--our table was ready immediately, while others without reservations had to wait. To start, we ordered the Mozzarella Marinara, which was absolutely delicious. The balance of cheese to breadcrumbs was perfect, and it was cooked to perfection. For the main course, we had pasta that was so flavorful and smelled amazing, we couldn't resist diving in before snapping a photo. Hands down, some of the best pasta we've ever had! If you're looking for incredible Italian food and a smooth dining experience, this is the place to go!

Wrapped up our MKE night out at our favorite restaurant. Never disappoints. Love the atmosphere and the pasta.

we were in Milwaukee, just wandering around the civic center area and stumbled across an Italian restaurant. The aroma of garlic, rosemary etc drew us in. To say the least the service was excellent, Pirona on tap in a chilled glass, the bread and butter, then calimari as a starter. The waiter made suggestions as to their specialties: we ordered one of each. Truly amazing presentation and taste. Gem for sure. Ambiance was that of a true family Italian restaurant. Salute!

We were in Milwaukee recently to watch the Bucks play the Celtics. I am a huge Celtics fan and when my friend sent me ticket info, I was super excited. We went to this nice Italian place post game as this is one of their go to places post game dinner. They had preordered pizzas for us and wine as well. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Place was packed. We sat at the bar. Pizza was great. Who does not like a nice slice of pizza post basketball game and a nice glass of wine. If you're in the area to watch the Bucks place, highly recommend making reservation here and trying this place.

We were downtown for an event and our original restaurant we wanted to eat at was booked, so we hopped over to Calderone Club. It's been many years since I've eaten here and after our dining experience will definitely make sure to be back sooner than later. First, the service was amazing. It's been a long time since we've had decent service at a restaurant. Second, the food was outstanding. We started with the Arancini, main course had Spaghetti and Meatballs and Chicken Parmesan and finished with a piece of Cheesecake. I know restaurants are struggling still after Covid so I think my expectations are set really low. But we were just blown away and reminded me of how dining used to be with the high level of service and wonderful food you expect when dining out.

Great pizza! We had the Calderon Special Pizza. It was great. We finished the whole pie. The place seems like a genuine Italian casual restaurant. Our waiter was Italian and pretty funny. The next time I'm in Milwaukee, I'll be back.

Had the filet of tenderloin and a side of french fries. I am used to getting my steak cooked well done, but to my surprise, I was told that they do not cook steak well done, so the best I could do was medium. I was very happy with that. This steak was cooked to perfection. I was with a group of 10 and it seemed that everybody else enjoyed their meal as well . Meals ranged from pizza two chicken Parmesan and lasagna. Small dining area and it got loud, but it looks like everyone was having an enjoyable time. Service was wonderful and fast faster than I expected. Highly recommended if you're in Milwaukee.

The food is amazing and the service was great too! I recommend this place to people visiting Milwaukee because of how welcoming they are

What a disappointment! I only gave this place two stars because the server was half decent. But he was a crazy guy, who blamed everything on the owner/chef. 1st: Was told the meatballs here were awarded best in the city. Maybe in this city. Over cooked mushy, oily, rubbery meatballs. I'll put mine against these any day and I'll take that award. 2nd. Veal Chop - the most expensive item on the menu, yet I finished and was still hungry. Instead of a chop, it was like a wriggly little veal leg. A very poor cut. Oh it came with a side of rigatoni with tomato sauce. I wanted linguine with marinara instead but was told that the chef wouldn't allow that. 3rd. My guest needed something gluten free. He wanted the veal but was forced to order a full order of gluten free pasta because, yet again the chef wouldn't permit him to substitute. Server forgot my salad, too. This place is a joke! Not even near authentic. Was told this was the best Italian in the city. Milwaukee....YOU DESERVE BETTER! And who wants to deal with a dictator chef?

Our threesome ordered appetizers and spaghetti. The marinara sauce was delicious, but some cook was very heavy handed with the salt used to cook the spaghetti noodles. The noodles were so salty I could not eat my spaghetti. Even the club's delicious spaghetti sauce could not hide the saltiness. While I took my spaghetti home, I don't know if I'll ever eat it unless I find away to dilute the salt. Its 4 AM and I'm still tasting the salt. On the other hand, the atmosphere was good, and the waiter was very friendly.

Right across the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee is the Calderone Club conveniently across the street. Everything was scrumptious from the fried truffle cheese ball, margherrita pizza with argula, pasta, and drinks. The volume of food is quite a lot. The food tasted just as good the next day from the leftovers.

Before an event at the nearby Fiserv Forum we had reservations for an early dinner. This was our first visit but given our experience we would return. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. The space is very warm and welcoming. We started with some very good calamari - it was lightly breaded and not chewy. We then split a large pizza between three of us - a medium would have sufficed since the large was huge. It was delicious and with plenty of toppings. Very thin and crispy. Prices were not too bad. Overall a big thumbs up.

Solid visit to Calderone Club, where the atmosphere is casual to bus. casual, and is good for family dinners, casual dates, and nearby hotel people on the company dime. The bar area is definitely not a sports bar atmosphere, but this place is not fancy. Visited with my brother and his wife, and we enjoyed- - Spaghetti & Meatballs (the star!) - Pizza (crust is thin but not cracker thin, reminded me of the DeMarini's) - Lazagna (pretty good, not the best I've ever had) Come as you are, and enjoy good Italian American food in downtown Milwaukee.

A group of four of us arrived at the Calderone Club for a pre-theater dinner, mid-week. This was an evening when there was much activity in the area: shows, and a Bucks game, all around the same time. Despite a line at the front entry, we were seated immediately because we had a reservation, served right away, and checked on several times to insure everything was good. Our server, Whitney, despite being very busy, was probably one of the best servers I've ever had. Cool, calm, collected, with a good sense of humor. Our orders were served in a timely manner, each order was prepared as we requested, and her timing was just impeccable. She checked on our table at just the right times. The food was great. I had Spicey Italian Sausage pasta and meatballs on the side (I think the best in Milwaukee) which was delicious. The pasta sauce + sausage had just the right amount of "kick" to it - the sauce was light (Arrabiata) which I enjoy better than the traditional red sauce - add to that, the bruschetta, which is loaded with garlic, was so good we contemplated ordering another.... The vibe is great, busy, and enjoyable, even on a packed night. We can't wait to return. I can't rave enough about this gem of an Italian restaurant.... it's worth the hour's drive from Kohler! Thank you, CC, and thank you Whitney.

This place is amazing! Such an amazing atmosphere with Italian employees that are so so kind. Feels like family inside with tons of energy. Also the food was incredible, full of flavor and super filling. I'll be back here for sure.

If you're looking for great Italian pizza, there is only one place to go. Had a great pie tonight. I love the crispy crust and all of the fresh toppings.

Review from 2019 This restaurant was within walking distance of our hotel. It has a more upscale Italian restaurant feel to it. Menu prices reflect that. Everything was served on large white plates. But the portion size is actually ok for the prices. This is definitely not a family style restaurant. I got their Italian pasta which was very flavorful. Maybe the plating aesthetic could have been better (see pic). Overall satisfied with the food. They also have a pretty extensive drink menu. Plenty of wines to go with your tomato based food. When we went, it was really busy. Thus, we did have to flag down our waitress a few times. Overall a nice Italian restaurant. Nothing outstanding, hence the 4/5 stars.

Calderon Club is probably the best pasta place in MKE. This old school spot is based right next to the basketball arena, and is always packed. The tiramisu is to die for, and wine is exceptional if you are a wine lover. The red and white sauce pasta are divine. Ambience feels like you're in Italy!

Delicious!! Went for a friends birthday dinner a while ago, and have not stopped thinking about the delicious pasta I had here. The server was amazing, and gave us a couple of great recommendations. Can't wait to return!

Food is awesome! All of it. Service was good. The only slight criticism is that it was really loud/noisy.

Food and Service. Not worth the money. We had 7pm reservations and at 7:45 we were being told they needed our table. We were surrounded by people seated before us and no one was rushing them out. Even at McDonald's they let you sit and enjoy your food. I have been to Italy and the restaurants there would never seat you when having a reservation and be telling you they need your table just 45 minutes later. Plus restaurants in Italy don't serve a Bolognese that tastes like Chef Boyardese. Prices are high (over $200 for a party of 3) for service and food that are bad. Especially for a place claiming to be just like Italy. So if I could give them less than one star I would.

Lasagne is the best I've had living in four states. Fettuccine is excellent, made from scratch. Honestly this is my favorite Italian joint any place.

Wonderful food. Both of the dishes were excellent. Nice vibe in the restaurant and bar. The service was ok at the bar, but the waiters looked like they were all over it in the restaurant. Next time I will definitely sit in the main dining area instead of the bar.

Omg, this place is amazing. We have been living 5 min down the road for two years and I can't believe this is only our first time trying. The Italian food has to be the best in the city. Everything is so amazing, from the garlic bread to the ceasar salad to the wine. Absolute 10/10! I also got the lobster ravioli and it was the best I've ever had (and I've had it in Europe before). Our service was excellent, and I love the old school Italian vibe the place has to it. Definitely recommend for any type of occasion

Came here New Year's Eve, the girl did not seem to want to seat us because we did not have reservations but sat us with an "we can still sit you but it will be at a high table" i guess attitude. But! Our waitress was completely awesome! we got wine, drinks, garlic bread, calamari, a side of meatballs to try, and 4 entrees. Fast service , great food

We went to a show at the Pabst Theater, staying at the Saint Kate and this was very conveniently located! Ambience was a bit of a bar feel. However, it won out with their imported flour/homemade pasta! I am a gluten sensitive person and have found that I can tolerate imported flour, so this was a win-win win for me!!

The folks at the hotel suggested this place for great Italian food. Well... I ordered their house ravioli and famous meatballs. Folks, real ravioli are square. The rolling pin makes them square - not round; like these were. The filling was not bad but it was nothing special. The sauce was a bit too red - probably too much tomato paste for my taste. I lean towards a little browner, meaty red sauce. The meatball was not bad but was a bit doughy. Some of this might be regional difference. The bread was a bit stale and the house vinaigrette was creamy. That's not the Italian food I grew up on. Just saying. Food is a solid 3. Price was a tad on the high side. I would probably look for someplace else to try.

Perhaps thee best pizza in the Brew.. (also close to Marquette & Bucks) & wonderful staff too: DIVERTERSI;)

They make the simplest dish, spaghetti and meatballs, very well. I also had the meatball sandwich, which was a little skimpy, but tasty nonetheless. The service is friendly and as quick as can be expected given the crowd the draw, and it's in a good location. However, I don't recommend the patio in the evenings. There are a large number of panhandlers in the area who have no compunction about accosting you for money while you eat, and motorcycle riders eager to put their bad taste in music on display. But of course that isn't the restaurant's fault

A most delicious place with a great chef and staff. Busy, big portions and reservations are in demand. A must do in Milwaukee.

My wife and I went to a concert downtown and stopped at the Calderone for dinner. I had a margherita pizza which was very good. My wife had the lobster ravioli and the sauce was like a lobster bisque. Just terrific! The cannoli for dessert was delicious. We met the owner and he was such a great guy. Great experience, highly recommend but make sure you make reservations. Enjoy.

The pear martini is amazing. I have been to Calderone club multiple times and have never been disappointed. From pizza to pasta to tiramisu - I love it all. No complaints about the service! Calderone Club is quite busy (because is it so good!), if going on a weekend, I would recommend making a reservation.

Wisconsin foodie didn't lie...calderone club is absolutely a must go to. Their pasta? Fabulous! Wine? True Italian and delicious, recommended by knowledgeable staff. The owner and chef of the restaurant interacts with customers which makes it feel so welcoming and special inside.

Really great Italian food but small ass plates. Peroni beer on tap but doesn't help that you need two plate of anything to fill up.

The food here is fresh and reasonably price! A must visit when in downtown Milwaukee!

This is a nice Italian place in Milwaukee that may be small in the inside but the flavors in their food are delicious! I have been to Calderone Club a couple times in the past, and I have never had a bad experience. They try to accommodate you in anyway possible! The staff is extremely friendly. All I will say is the food is absolutely delicious! You must come try it yourself!

My first visit to Calderone Club Downtown. My Husband was there many years ago. The moment we walked in the door, you could feel the electricity. There was not one open table or bar stool. We could feel the excitement in the room, smell the most amazing cuisine being delivered to tables and were in awe. It was definitely a warm, happy place to be. We had a reservation, but there was a bit of a wait, so when two bar stools opened up, we grabbed them. Eating at the bar is our preference anyway. Good choice! Fernando, David and Andrew worked together like a well synchronized team to meet ours and every patrons needs. We quickly became friends. Michelle, the hostess came over to us at the bar to ensure we were happy sitting there. The teamwork throughout the entire staff was something to behold. To the food.... Each dish was perfectly seasoned, cooked and plated. As busy as the restaurant was, the food was delivered fairly quickly and arrived HOT! I couldn't fairly say which dish was the hero. They were all fabulous. Alex, who took our reservation stopped over to speak with us several times. Gino came out to greet us and again to thanks us and say goodbye, I would recommend Calderone Club to everyone. There are so many dishes on the menu I want to try, we will be returning again, again and again! Definitely 5 stars!

Super tasty Italian food! We ordered a few apps for our large group (calamari, eggplant fries, meatballs, and bruschetta). I really enjoyed the bruschetta and their (award winning) meatballs. My main dish was the Cannelloni Alla Caprese with grilled chicken. The creamy white sauce along with the pancetta and tomatoes was delicious! I also tried the NY cheesecake and it was spot on. The place was very busy and pretty loud, but I do believe the service was pretty good for a large group party like us. It got kinda hot in our section but our waiter promptly remedied the situation by turning on the AC for us when we asked if anything could be done! Overall, lovely experience (minus being pretty hot at first).