Gates & Brovi

Ever looking for after UW classes, after work casual dinner with your team that has cool environment, quality customers, great staff, and great fresh food..which has an East Coast experience in a great welcoming hip neighborhood..THIS IS IT! JUST DO IT! I had the Walleye Special that was perfectly seared, seasoned perfectly with tiny sized slivers of delicious organic potatoes. FABULOUS! Staff is friendly, professional, and attentive. Prices were fair for the excellent quality of fresh food. Parking after 5:30 is easy and although no handicap parking.. access to entrance is easy. If you’ve ever been to my ultimate favorite “special” restaurant thats pricey but well worth it on a special occasion then you will love this for the more casual affair n great for a date!

Love this neighborhood spot. The food is consistently good..service is typically very good as well. Love the neighborhood atmosphere!

Immaculate. Stunning. Nostalgic. My partner & I read an article in the Madisonian Magazine raving about G&Bs clam chowder and decided to venture on over to the West side. We were immediately overwhelmed by how cozy and nostalgic the atmosphere calmed us and were treated with amazing customer service. THE FOOD!!! Holy moly!!! Everything was easily a 10/10. The clam chowder? Perfect. Fried smelt? Mindblowing. Caesar salad? Delightful. Salmon dinner special? One of the best meals I’ve ever had. And the dessert?!!! The Almond cake with door county cherries?!? Upsettingly good. You may not be brought to happy tears like I was after eating at Gates & Brovi (I’m quite dramatic) but I can guarantee you’ll have a damn good time.

I had a great dining experience here. I would highly recommend you check this out if you’re in Madison Wisconsin. Great food and service!

We stopped by on a busy Monday evening and found a seat at the bar within 20 minutes. Nice selection of NA beers, food was excellent. We had a salmon burger and a veggie burger - both delicious. Can’t wait to go back on our next stop through Madison.

My children took me there last year for Father’s Day last year. So I asked if we could go back this year. It didn’t disappoint. Highly recommend.

🌟 5-Star Review – Gates & Brovi, Madison, WI 🌟 After our Meet the Authors event in Madison, we had the pleasure of dining at Gates & Brovi — and it was the perfect way to end a meaningful day. The atmosphere is warm, relaxed, and effortlessly stylish, creating a space that invites connection and conversation. The food was absolutely outstanding — from the fresh oysters and crisp salads to the expertly prepared pasta and perfectly cooked fish. Each bite was full of flavor and care. The staff was friendly, attentive, and truly made us feel at home. A heartfelt thank you to the team at Gates & Brovi for a delicious and memorable dining experience. We’ll definitely return next time we’re in Madison. Highly recommended!

Amazing food. Shrimp cake eggs Benedict and French toast (with cherries, lemon cream, and almonds) were outstanding! First time coming here - will definitely be back again!

The food quality is really quite nice and reasonably priced. I've there twice. Once years ago for fish fry and recently for Sunday brunch. Note this is a very friendly neighborhood joint... so lots of kids. Also it's quite loud and the seating isn't at all comfortable. The service is so so. The waitstaff seems friendly enough but the bar service is slow and on our recent visit the dishes didn't come out together. Thinks there's something for everybody on the menu. The cocktail menu is very good and again reasonably priced. I had the biscuits and gravy. A tad salty. The side pancake was really, really good. Others had French Toast... no complaints and it looked fabulous.

Why is it so hard to find fried smelt on a menu here!? Thank goodness for Gates & Brovi. Went here recently on a Friday night per a friend's suggestion. We had about a 30 minute wait around 7pm but it was well worth every minute. Service here was awesome. Everyone was so fun and friendly and really added to the ambiance of the meal. We ordered a dozen oysters, fried smelt, and calamari for the table to start. The oysters were a bit small (we are in Wisconsin, I didn't have high expectations here in all honesty) but still fresh and briney enough to be enjoyable. The calamari and fried smelt were both fantastic! The menu here isn't huge, but it feels very Midwest/Great Lakes and I love that! While some things on the menu are quite simple, they are all executed well. Ended our meal with some of the Door County cherry pie and that was the icing on the cake for a fantastic dinner. I will be back! (Hopefully soon!)

I ordered the Chicken Piccata and my partner ordered the burger. I'd definitely order the burger again. The chicken piccata had good flavor and the green beans were perfectly cooked. We ordered the brownie sundae for dessert which was OK - I wish the brownie was slightly warmer but I loved the cherry compote on top. When we first came in hostess was so kind and made sure to turn on the game for us/gave us the best seat for viewing. :)

I always have a good meal here. It is crowded most of the time so be prepared you won't seat immediately. Parking is not ideal, but you can find something on the street within reasonable walking distance. Cherry pie was great. Love the walleye. This is not a quiet date place but much preferred for a chain experience for a similar sit down price.

My favorite place in Madison. Honestly, I always bring friends from out of town here. It's so good. They always feature specials. The drinks are delish. Service is incredible. Fish fry is the best. Must get the oysters. Happy Hour special M-F. Just know that fridays are a wait. It's worth it, I promise. Great for friends, families and date nights. Parking on the street, in the lot, and on side streets. Love love love this place.

Great place for brunch!! Their mimosas are decent and the burgers are tasty. They do offer veggie patties to substitute. The special sauce is delicious. The service was fast and friendly. Good places for groups or a date night.

Came here for a mom's night on a Thursday and we were seating right away. Parking is limited but I was still able to get a spot in the parking lot. Going after 6 is better because you can park in the veterinarian reserved spots. I had the lasagna and calamari and can recommend those. I wouldn't recommend going with young kids but besides that it was a nice meal and fun place to be at.

Went here on a Sunday for brunch and it was busy as usual. However, we got seated pretty quickly. We were clearly there in the time when there are a lot of families, which is great if you have young kids. The place was pretty loud, so kids are sounded out by each other. We ended up ordering the special eggs benedict which came with some crispy fried potatoes, the shrimp cake benedict, and the tomato goat cheese scrambler with a biscuit. Both benedicts were quite good and the potatoes that came with the special were a stand out. The scrambler was fine, a bit salty for my taste though. The salt also compiled in the dish with the potatoes that were too oily and salty and the biscuit. I've gotten the potatoes with this scrambler in the past and thought they were slightly better, so not sure if this was just an off day. Our thought though, was if you had the really nicely crisp and seasoned potatoes with the benedict special, why would you serve the others. Overall, it seemed like kind of an off day/time to be there. Our waitress was nice, but it took a while to get the hot sauce we asked for and no one came around to check if we wanted a coffee refill and had to ask someone. I know they were very busy when we were there, but it seemed like we weren't checked on at all after our food came, which was not their norm.

Back again! Sam's favorite and quickly becoming one of mine in Madison. Service is good and food is wonderful. Can get busy and noisy, reflecting its popularity. Parking lot is just to the west and behind. Walk out the way you drove in. (There is a small alley but you have to navigate around a dumpster to get to the parking lot, so don't bother with that.)

Great neighborhood restaurant and bar. I was surprised the place is so large. Nice and roomy with lots of cozy tables and much character. We came to dine around 11:00 am on a weekend. Was kinda bummed we had to select food from the brunch menu only. Our server was super accommodating when I asked him to make a special request of the kitchen.....I really wanted a shrimp po boy (not on the brunch menu). A short few minutes later he returned with a huge grin on his face. Yes, the kitchen agreed to my request! He made me understand that this exception is never guaranteed, as it depends on how busy the kitchen is in the moment. The shrimp po boy was spectacular! Loaded with tender fried shrimp and just enough spice on a fresh crusty roll. It comes with dressed greens on the side, which was a lovely, tangy compliment to the sandwich. So good! My picky husband enjoyed his mushroom and spinach scramble. He was slightly horrified that his plate also included dressed greens (which he dislikes). But we quickly whisked it away, and brunch peace was restored. We will be back!

Had been recommended this place by several people and we are in quest to find the perfect fish fry. We arrived and the place was packed which is always a good sign. We were told about a 45 minute wait which must have been based on lack of staff as there were empty tables. We ended up sitting at the bar and ordered our entrees. We both tried the blue gills from recommendations from friends. The portion sizes were generous and the fish was cooked well. People rave about the "Zing" sauce but I was not a huge fan. But that's just my pallet. The hand crafted cocktails were good and the service was excellent. With the wood floors and high ceilings it is a bit noisy in the restaurant which makes conversation difficult. Is this the best fish fry in Madison? Probably not but it's a nice neighborhood joint to get a drink and a nice meal with friends and family.

Super cute place. Great ambiance. Plentiful street parking on a Tuesday night anyway. There is no dedicated parking lot. We had the Gin Sylvie and the Summer Sunset (?) for drinks. I really enjoyed the Gin Sylvie. For food we had the cheese curds, pan fried bluegill BLT, and the clam Italian sausage and leek pizza. All of the food was really good. The staff were very friendly and just the right amount of attentive.

Stopped in for dinner on a Friday night around 6 pm, waited about 20 minutes for a table. The bar was packed with people enjoying drinks. We had the Gates & Brovi burger and the Bluegill dinner. The burger was delicious, but the salad with a lemon pepper dressing was subpar. The Bluegill was very good, a large portion. Served with it was delicious baby red potatoes and coleslaw. The waitress was very friendly and efficient. The restaurant itself is very welcoming and always looks busy when driving past!

My favorite brunch in Madison. I've been here twice for the brunch and every time I cant wait to return. They have great sweet and savory options. The seafood options are unique but they have traditional items too. Cannot recommend enough.

Went to G& B last night for happy hour. House wine are a mere $6 between 4 and 6, they have 3 varieties, and are decent for the price. They have an amazing Prosecco, I wish I could remember what brand it was; it was fabulous with an amazing and clean finish! We also had the Oysters which were really good. The bartenders were extremely attentive and friendly. This was the first time I had been in years, but after last night I def plan to go back k much sooner!

I stopped by on a Friday evening to have fish fry. The place was extremely crowded, there wasn't even space to stand inside. Wait for a seat would have been very long. So I decided to take out. It took 40 minutes for food to be ready. Bluegill fish fry was a good item to try. I would say that was the only item I liked. Smelt fry was too fishy for me. Garlic parmesan wings were ok, but something was off with the taste. Clam chowder was kind of ok. I come from North East. This clam chowder does not compare well with the clam chowder there.

Stopped here for dinner (6) on a Saturday night. We didn't have reservations and they seated us right away. It's on the corner of a quaint neighborhood. Very open on the inside. A versatile but not overwhelming menu. We started with some cheese curds for the table. They were really good but if you want more than a couple per person in a group of six, I would get 2 orders. I had the blue gill BLT which was excellent. Everyone else enjoyed their dishes too! We were too full for dessert but it looked like they had some good options!

Always a great time here! Living close by is dangerous enough! I love the atmosphere and the food. Service is always prompt and very knowledgeable about the dishes too.

I was visiting for a work event and my coworkers reserved a table for us and I enjoyed it very much. The ambiance is great. Venue has that cabin feel with all the wood surrounding it. The food was great- if you love cheese they have local Wisconsin cheese and for my first time trying, I was very pleased. If you're visiting you should stop by- it's located in a great neighborhood, but parking is very tough to find.

We had fabulous service after waiting about twenty minutes for a table. Love the fast paced, high energy atmosphere here. My salad was just okay. I had the Caesar salad and added salmon. The salmon was dry and not very seasoned. Will definitely try something else next time and can't wait to come back for a Friday fish fry (which was delicious the last time we were here)!

Perfect spot for a casual dinner! Was very impressed by the service and kind staff. Wide range of dinner options and great drinks. They often have a specials menu which is where I've found some of my favorites. Pizza unexpectedly great as well, generous toppings and has a chewy crust. As others said, only street parking but you can usually find a spot in the neighborhoods behind Monroe. Key lime pie is amazing!

From the ambiance and service, the place seems nice to go for a sports bar or something but what really put us off was the food from this place. It's just below average in our opinion, and way too many spices. I'm not sure I'd recommend this place for anything but what seems like a good beer!

First of all, the food here is excellent; and usually so is the service. However, that was not the case this past Sunday around noon. The restaurant was super busy. No problem, we waited about 15 minutes for two open seats at the counter. Instead of greeting us when we sat down, the bartender said, "Are you ready to order?" We asked if she would please wipe off the water, etc. on the counter where previous customers had been. "Now are you ready to order?" To which I said, "yes, if you're ready to take our order!" This server was obviously stressed, and it showed in her customer service. We'll chalk it up to having a bad day this time.

This was my second visit here. I wish I remembered our waitresses name because she was great. Last time I had the perch BLT without bacon and this time split a margarita's daughter pizza with a friend. Both times my food was great. Can't wait to try something new next visit.

We have tried G&B a few times but have usually been disappointed because they have so few vegetarian options. On a recent visit I was very happy to see that they've added a vegetarian gnocchi option, which was tasty and filling. Alas their veggie burger has Worcestershire sauce, so not really vegetarian, though I assume you could ask to leave that off. My one complaint is that they charge $9 for a kids' burger that doesn't come with any sides. This is way more than most local restaurants charge. Service was excellent. Nice atmosphere.

The only reason I *don't* want to give them a rave review is that they are perfectly busy - I haven't had to wait more than 15 minutes for a table. If more people know how good they are... Last time we were there, I think we were served by someone higher up than a server - she knew her stuff and presented it in a way that made us think she might be a manager or such. Fish Fry is great, pizza is delicious, cheese curds are better than 90% of other places. Easily make accommodations for vegetarians. There are TVs but they're not obnoxious. It can feel a little loud - there's a bit of an echo, but it's not terrible.

Such a hidden treasure! A bit off the beaten path right at the end of Monroe St. Been here a few times on date nights! Never disappoints! I always go for the Bluegill BLT! Their food is so good!! It keeps me coming back, fast service and quality prices you can't go wrong! Highly recommend!

Best all around restaurant in town for food, service and value. A great option for families too.

My son had a play date at Westmorland Park, so we decided to stop by Gates and Brovi for dinner after. We had worked up quit a hunger with all of the fresh air and sunshine! Parking is limited, so we opted for the street behind the restaurant. It's situated right on Monroe Street near a busy stop light, so we quickly headed inside and were greeted with a rather spacious dining room with a bar. The staff was very friendly and ushered us to a table right away. The moment I saw clam chowder on the menu, I knew I had to try it. I am a sucker for a great bowl of clam chowder! I ordered an entire bowl for a starter, and it was incredible! It wasn't the typical white broth you usually find, which made it that much better - I knew it was homemade. For my main dish I chose the Gates + Brovi burger, which was fantastic! The special sauce really made the sandwich. The kids' menu was typical fare for tots, and my son really enjoyed his burger as well. The parking situation is a little dicey, but it's worth the short walk! Gates and Brovi did not disappoint. I definitely plan to return, either with the whole family or for a date night!

Always great service & cozy environment & good music, the beet & apple salad is one of my favorites . They have gluten free buns & some of the best burgers!

I brought an old colleague for a weeknight dinner. Parking was somewhat hard to come by on the residential streets behind the restaurant. Thankfully there was no wait for a seat. Our waitress checked on us frequently and was attentive without hovering. We opened our meal with cheese curds and oysters. The latter were only $2 a piece during happy hour, very mild and fresh. The menu had classic American food (burgers and salads and the like), pizza, and lots of seafood options. I had the fisherman's stew, which was essentially a cioppino of mussels, shrimp, squid, and fish in a rich tomato broth. The serving was gigantic and brimming with seafood. My friend was happy with his fried bluegill BLT. I was very happy with it. For dessert we both had chocolate pecan pie, which came in two layers the bottom a more traditional pecan pie filling and the top a sort of chocolate mousse. I was skeptical at first glance but after my first bite I was sold, it was really good without being brutally sweet like pecan pie can tend to be. The cost of dinner was definitely reasonable for the quality and quantity of food we got. The atmosphere was somewhat like a pub/sports bar but nicer and not noisy. It was a good place to catch up with an old friend over good food.

I cannot say enough good things about Gates and Brovi. I've loved it through so many seasons of my life. We've enjoyed many meals and cocktails at the bar. And now as a new mom we enjoy many meals at a table in the dining room. The staff is incredible and we've always all enjoyed the food. Don't sleep on the clam pizza!

Food had amazing flavor! Service was top tier. Would definitely recommend the pizza and cheese curds.

We went to their Sunday brunch yesterday.it is order off the menu.had the shrimp cake Benedict and side order of hash browns.it was well prepared.our server Annie was the best.polite and helpful.knew the products on the menu.we will return.we used to use the gas station this building replaced.life goes on.

Once in a while, my family comes to me and asks, where is the next place on the list we haven't tried? Having been there once, I knew just the spot for a relaxing, casual restaurant that could produce great food. We were asked to place our name on the waiting list and took a seat at the bar. Grabbing all the kiddie cocktails and wine for me, we were seated within the next 10 minutes. Looking at the menu, I knew immediately what to get. The chicken piccata is a classic dish with Gates giving it new life, with roasted smashed potatoes and green beans. And, apparently my family thought the same with 4 orders of it flooding the kitchen. The sauce is always seasoned well, with olives and capers giving it that zing of salt and acid, lending a hand to the crispy chicken and garlicky potatoes. Within the first few bites, my family exclaimed that I always know how to pick em (restaurants, as my list is over 50 to try.) Knowing the piccata was a smash hit, we stumbled upon the dessert menu. The carrot cake and key lime pie were scrumptious; moist carrot cake spiced perfectly, and tangy creamy pie that put a smile on your face. Gates and Brovi is that place where, no matter the state of your day, can open the gates to a wonderful conversation and meal, leaving happy every time.

This place was packed when we visited for dinner this past Friday night. We arrived around 5:30 and our wait was 25 minutes, which was fairly reasonable. There's a bar you can wait at with some TVs, but if it's full, you kind of just stand awkwardly (in the way) at the front until your table is ready. They also have a freezer by the front with ice cream to purchase by the pint. We ordered cheese curds to share, and the chicken piccata, fried cod with fries, and fried bluegill with fries. The curds were good, the fish was good (the spicy zip sauce that comes with is oddly sweet, it was interesting), the fries were ok, and the chicken piccata was fantastic. The service was warm and friendly, and the food was good overall. Next time I think I'll try one of their pizzas.

I like Gates and Brovi. The vibe is fantastic, the staff are very friendly, and the ice cream is BOMB. My reason for giving it 4 stars has to do with the consistency of the food. The first time I came here it was AWESOME. I'm talking bomb.com and on the top 10 of my list. However, since I've come back, some of the foods have really waivered. Specifically the fish fry and the blue gill sando. Sometimes the fish is perfect - crispy, seasoned, and moist. Other times it's bland, unseasoned and soggy. So, I like the place, but given the number of times I've checked in, I may just make it for happy hour and skip the food. The HH is great and has some good options and the ice cream always slaps and has rotating flavors. Happy HH-ing :)

Awesome food, and great drinks - I highly recommend the chicken piccata- was amazing!

The food was delicious, the only issue I had was I would have thought they would offer another sauce with the calamari besides cocktail sauce. There was street parking, the service was great, the music was a tad loud but in a social occasion it was awesome. Can't complain

Staff, ambience service food all i can say is I WANT TO LIVE NEXT DOOR!!! Wonderful experience, clientele are really nice, chill even with a hungry8 month old who NEEDS TO EAT NOW

My wife and I ordered a hamburger and chicken sandwich. The waiter asked us if we wanted salad greens or French fries. We thought it was included. We were charged $4 each for the fries. The fries were not worth $8. A side of fries on the menu was listed at $7.

Literally so good it's not even funny. It's so #awesome#ilovethisplace I literally drove from Chicago to Madison to come to this restaurant! I heard so many great things and Sardine is also amazing! Everything is so yummy and so #delicious Justin beibers yummy yummy song was inspired by this restaurant. I love this place with all my heart! Must visit in Madison!

They have fried smelt !!! Pizza is a must, service is always knowledgeable and delightful, along with a solid tap beer inventory - ambience is equally comparable with a mildly rustic yet comfy mood

Came here for brunch with a book club and picked up the bluegill BLT due to the good reviews. I sat down with the intention of eating half the sandwich. What a hopeless mission this was... hands down this was one of the best BLTs I've had. The bread was perfectly buttered, the fish nice and crispy but moist. A perfect bite!

Best West side neighborhood restaurant in Madison. This is a family-friendly bar/restaurant with terrific, fresh food. Expect to hear a little Earth, Wind, and Fire or Stevie Wonder playing on the speakers and lots of lively chatter. Their chicken piccata is the best dish I've had in this entire city. Consistently. Servers are warm and friendly, especially Chris (Kris?). She is a ray of light and makes everyone feel so seen and welcome. This place fills up quickly once they open, so plan your meal accordingly. Always a good experience at G&B!

Gates & Brovi provides such a pleasant atmosphere and experience every time! The staff is incredibly friendly and efficient. The bartenders are fabulous and very welcoming, they really take care of the customers sitting at the bar. The vibe of the restaurant is nice but cozy. You can dress up or dress down, depending on what you prefer. I liked sitting at the bar but there's tables and booths in the main dining area as well. The food and drinks are delicious! We've tried the house wine, old fashioneds, pasta, oysters, eggplant dip, and the fish fry. All have been super tasty! We look forward to returning and trying more menu items!

Gates & Brovi is the best place in Madison if you're craving fast and casual seafood here in Madison. Nothing fancy but extremely delicious. And the staff is always friendly and ready to help.

Recently came to Gates and Broadway for the first time. It didn't disappoint as I knew it wouldn't because the same owners of sardine also own this restaurant. It's a bit more relaxed but has a great variety of seafood options and sandwiches. They do have oysters but only offer one kind, which are Bluepoint. They were okay.. oysters at sardine are much better. For dinner I got the walleye which was amazing and topped with capers and a side of vegetables and butter sauce. It was melt in your mouth delicious. I like that this restaurant offers more of a seafood house vibe. They don't offer reservations but luckily we didn't have to wait, the restaurant is pretty big. There is also limited parking but they do have a parking lot in the back which is useful. I would highly recommend giving it a try. I know we will be back.

We arrived at 9:30 a.m. on a Sunday to have breakfast. The restaurant had many open tables. Immediately about sitting, someone brought water but then we waited well over 20 minutes before anyone came to offer coffee or take our order. A table came in and was seated behind us 15 minutes later and a waitstaff promptly took their order. We had a toddler with who we had to keep giving snacks to because he was hungry. I get that restaurants are understaffed but an effort should have been made to at least bring coffee and explain the situation and definitely someone coming in that far after us should not have been served first. We were the table immediately behind the hostess desk, so that person had to notice that no one was waiting on us. Finally a very sweet waitress came and we placed the order. Food was excellent. When paying, a manager said that they comped the one muffin we ordered. Didn't seem like much of a peace offering to me.