Nattspil

Good vibes, good music, good drinks, good location. Slow service, microwave level food, a little too dirty even for a speakeasy. All in all, go for the vibes and the experience and the drinks, consider the food a bonus but it's certainly not the main event. If the food stepped it up, it has potential to be an elite tier spot. Oh, and if they took reservations online. Food for thought for the powers that be. 👨🏽‍🎨

It is, no doubt, an eclectic restaurant. Came here for dinner on Saturday night, and we were seated relatively quickly (~10 min wait) in the back, which was nice because it was too loud to converse with friends in the front end. Anyways, I tried the Aviation cocktail and the Veggie Dan Dan. It was pretty good, but the noodles seemed a bit oily and didn’t come with tofu like I thought they would (maybe I’d meant to order something else). We also had the cheese wontons, which were an interesting try (not bad to try once but personally didn’t love). Overall though, good food, pretty cool atmosphere, and great service!

Absolutely incredible food. The Pork Dumpings are the best dumplings I've ever had, make sure to start with those. The three cup chicken and the pork sammie were also delicious. The atmosphere was cozy and the staff were friendly. A must stop for dinner! The Google Maps summary says this place is cash only, but they do in fact accept credit cards!

Visiting from California. This is hands down the best restaurant I have eaten at in Madison. The atmosphere is laid back feels very local. I wouldn’t call it a dive bar, maybe a badass ass hole in the wall. The food was amazing we got pulled pork, 3 can chicken, a few pizzas and mussels. The waitress was kind great smile and fast. Hands down I would eat here weekly if I lived in this town.

This is an amazing speakeasy. We were pleasantly surprised when we entered the restaurant. This place was recommended to us from the bartender Terry at The Rigby. The food here was amazing. This place is managed perfectly. It is a well oiled machine. The chef’s and bartender are very experienced. Drinks made perfectly by Glynis our bartender. The food was impeccable and full of flavor. James, Cash and Frank make everything fresh to order. The food is absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is laid back, intimate, and the music is spot on. The vibe in this restaurant elevates your experience. I strongly suggest sitting at the bar and watching the staff work flawlessly. We will be back and I highly recommend coming here if you are in the downtown Madison area.

This is a speak easy that needs to be on the map. If you are looking for a great place to eat in Madison, you really need to find this place. It one of the best places to eat in town and is completely different than the average restaurants around town. I ordered a Chicken teriyaki type dish and it was amazing. This place packs a punch when it comes to flavor! Even their Wisconsin Old Fashion is amazing, if you have never had it you better ask for it quick and make sure to ask for a second before you start the first one. The vibe is great for a date night or just to hangout with some friends. The next time I'm in town I will be eating here again. I loved it.

Dan dan noodles were greasy and not good, mainly fettucine with chili oil. Otherwise service and everything else was great.

Such a cool, unique place. My husband and I went here when visiting Madison. I got the 3 cup chicken, and he got the Dan Dan noodles. Both were so good! I love their cocktail menu too. There were so many I would have loved to try. Next time we're in the area, we'll have to come back :)

Just stopped in for cocktails and we thoroughly enjoyed our drinks. Both drinks we ordered were unique and delicious made with homemade ingredients. We planned to eat but decided we weren't overly excited about anything in the menu. I was expecting more of a speakeasy feel and to me it was just more of a bar vibe. Maybe we will return sometime to try the food.

I went back with a date , the food was excellent and this time the service was freaking excellent. That was the only downgrade last time , it was a cold night so maybe the crowds were not as restless as before. Again the ambiance is like a speak easy , dark & full of music . I love this place

The owner over at Broken Board Coffee put us on to this place... and it did not disappoint. So far our favorite dining experience in Madison. Small, cozy, dimly lit. Food was phenomenal. One of the most unique spots and is definitely a must try.

I took out dinner from here. 3 cup chicken was my first item. It was way too salty for my taste. I also went for a brie and apple pizza. I thought that was an ok pizza.

Having heard about this place without a sign out front that is a hangout for late night hipsters we thought we'd give it a try. It was not late nor are we hipsters. As a matter of fact it was an early evening on a weeknight so thankfully the music was at a reasonable volume so we could talk. The decor is very red and very dim giving it a speakeasy vibe. We grabbed some seats, then tried another set and then on our third try found a table that would somewhat comfortably hold four people. We ordered some drinks - the beers were a reasonable price. The menu is very small unless you are a fan of dumplings which there are quite a few. Two of us ordered their pulled pork sandwich which was fine. Another got the pizza and gave it a thumbs up. Finally the fourth ordered the apparently popular three cup chicken (no one could explain the name). She liked it a lot. Interesting place but no need to rush back.

It is, no doubt, an eclectic restaurant. Came here for dinner on Saturday night, and we were seated relatively quickly (~10 min wait) in the back, which was nice because it was too loud to converse with friends in the front end. Anyways, I tried the Aviation cocktail and the Veggie Dan Dan. It was pretty good, but the noodles seemed a bit oily and didn't come with tofu like I thought they would (maybe I'd meant to order something else). We also had the cheese wontons, which were an interesting try (not bad to try once but personally didn't love). Overall though, good food, pretty cool atmosphere, and great service!

One of my favorite restaurants in the city! This time I ordered the lamb skewers and the fish sando and it was delicious!

The ambiance is super cool, they often have DJs that are truly excellent. The food is incredible and absolutely worth the price. Make a point of trying the espresso shot. :)

I am updating my review from 3 stars to 5 stars with Natt-Spil! My last visit of 3 stars was mainly due to slow, unprofessional, unorganized, inconsistent customer service but possibly due to lack of training and staff help. I also took the time to provide feedback on the customer feedback page and no management ever responded back to me last time at my request. However, during my most recent visit I had a much improved experience at Natt-Spil! You might easily miss this place walking right past it as it is not marked well from the outside near the downtown capitol! This place is truly one of the best kept secrets in Madison, WI. It's like a secret funky speakeasy or a hip underground club with funky disco music, Chinese food, and delicious fresh Artisan pizza coming out of a hot brick oven! It is a small place with a tiny bar area but full of cozy positive vibes! Beware they currently don't take reservations ahead of time so plan accordingly. The ambience is very dark, the music can be loud sometimes, with beautiful red lanterns on the ceiling with a mix of Chinese and Norwegian decor elements. Natt-Spil is a great place to go if you are looking for a place that serves food late until midnight! They often will have a DJ around 9pm playing some funky disco tunes which really liven up the place! They don't have a large food menu but their food is outstandingly delicious and packed with flavor! You have to try their amazing hot fresh crispy lamb wantons, spicy cheese wontons, and their shui mai appetizers which I am obsessed with! Their sauce for the spicy cheese wonton is out of this world which is a hot smoked tomato-cilantro puree! The spicy sauce was so good I scooped up the leftover sauce and cleared my plate clean of my sauce and so did my friends! :) The food was super hot, fresh, well seasoned, and made with a beautiful artistic presentation!! Everything I have tried so far on the menu has been incredible! Their 3 cup chicken is probably one of their most popular dishes which is a twist on chicken teriyaki, rice, and with a delicious unique pickled vegetables (tomato/cucumber) which works so well with the dish!! You will love their awesome pizza such as the brie and apple pizza! If you are craving seafood definitely try their delicious mussels in a rich creamy Chile Guajillo cream sauce or shrimp cakes!! They also have unique cocktails from the bar that will make your night even more fun! Although my daiquiri was small, the bartender nailed the classic daiquiri! This time around our server was well trained, attentive, and made our night very enjoyable! Natt-Spil is a super fun, unique, late night food spot right by the capital with incredible food! My friends and I had the best time there! This is definitely a must try spot in Madison!!

This is an amazing speakeasy. We were pleasantly surprised when we entered the restaurant. This place was recommended to us from the bartender Terry at The Rigby. The food here was amazing. This place is managed perfectly. It is a well oiled machine. The chef's and bartender are very experienced. Drinks made perfectly by Glynis our bartender. The food was impeccable and full of flavor. James, Cash and Frank make everything fresh to order. The food is absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is laid back, intimate, and the music is spot on. The vibe in this restaurant elevates your experience. I strongly suggest sitting at the bar and watching the staff work flawlessly. We will be back and I highly recommend coming here if you are in the downtown Madison area.

Great anytime place. Dark, hip, cool spot. So fun and cool on the inside. Always get the pizza, the mussels, and a dim som

Wild mix of southwest and asian flavors in for a brunch dim sum. Truly some unique dishes that just nail the overall flavor profile.

This is a speak easy that needs to be on the map. If you are looking for a great place to eat in Madison, you really need to find this place. It one of the best places to eat in town and is completely different than the average restaurants around town. I ordered a Chicken teriyaki type dish and it was amazing. This place packs a punch when it comes to flavor! Even their Wisconsin Old Fashion is amazing, if you have never had it you better ask for it quick and make sure to ask for a second before you start the first one. The vibe is great for a date night or just to hangout with some friends. The next time I'm in town I will be eating here again. I loved it.

I love this place. I go here a lot and get the mushroom pepperoni pizza and dumplings. So good. I love the lights and dj.

I take back what I said when I was hangry Food was ok but a little on the salty side. Big on flavor I need 85 characters I'm just typing

It's a kitschy mix in here. There's a big dark speakeasy vibe, mixed with a lot Asian/Chinese decor elements and a Nordic/Scan vibes thrown in as well. We really lucked out and got a table right away at 7:30pm on a Thursday. We got spicy wontons which were delicious. They were spicy peanutty deliciousness porky. We got the Orange Dragon and Hi T cocktails. The tasted like sprite and the smallest hint of spice. It tasted like nothing really. The Hi T had more flavor but it wasn't anything to scream about. Pizzas were good. Solid flavor excellent crispy crunchiness. Check the pics for cheese pulls. TLDR: Definitely worth trying! Don't trust the drinks but DO trust the pizza

Went here around 9pm ish on a Saturday night...and was able to be seated right away. Keep in mind that it is July and UW is not in full session. By 9:45pm it was pretty much packed. Happy to report that the food Is fabulous and the cocktails are wonderfully made!! They made my Old Fashioned perfectly! We ordered the Szechuan dumplings.... The pinenuts were the perfect touch! and our pizza was just ok. The pics are dark as the lights are turned down low for the ambience . Everything from our waitress to our bartender to our food was wonderful. The music was good just really, really, really loud and people were having to YELL at one another in order to be heard.

Small bar and restaurant with loud music which keeps it fun. Tried the 3 cup chicken which came with a cold cucumber salad that was excellent. My partner had the pork sandwich which see loved. If you like dark and loud then come here. I'll be back.

We popped in after a local appointment. Place was quite noisy (really loud people and loud music) despite the cozy lighting and atmosphere. Our host was really sweet. We asked if the music could be turned down, and they actually DID turn it down the changed up the playlist. The loud party soon left and it became a rally good experience! I ordered the Dom Dom noodle which was amazing - thick with bold flavor! Great tap beers on hand as well.

Natt Spil has it all. Cozy atmosphere, cool vibes, outstanding service, awesome drinks, solid wine pours, and incredible food. This hidden spot is one that you don't want to miss!!! We devoured the apps too quick for me to snap a pic LOL but the spicy cheese wontons (aka their version of cheese curds) are served with a delicious marinara that really elevates the dish. I love getting their pizza, always hot and straight from the oven. You can grab a spot on their patio or indoors - you won't be disappointed!

Great bar, good food. Chill atmosphere, red light everywhere, no name on the outside so it feels pretty indie. Three cup chicken was good but I'd probably get the pizza next time. Good beers too with reasonable prices for the taps. They do take cards now.

Love everything about this place- the food, service, music and overall atmosphere. Of particular note are the Shu Mai Dumplings and Crispy Lamb Wontons as well as a lively but not loud playlist at the hands of live DJs while you bask in the red glow of Asian inspired lanterns overhead. The Yelp info indicates credit cards accepted, however we found this to be a cash only establishment. Thank You Nat Spill staff- front and back of house!

I've been putting off writing a review of Natt Spil because I didn't want everyone else to know about it. Seems like the cats out of the bag, though. So you might as well know how much a love this place! Vibe: it's weird. And I like it. There's so much personality packed into this little space, it feels like you're at your weird aunts house. Totally strange but also super comfy. And I love their "patio," which is literally just an alleyway with string lights and tables and chairs. It's weirdly romantic with the exposed brick. The whole place has a very intimate yet playful vibe, great date energy. It does get loud but I expect that anywhere on a weekend. Service: always so good! I've loved every server I've had here, but Noodle (I think that's his real name?!) has been a long time favorite and we really loved Rachel recently, so sweet and friendly! And I love sitting at the bar so I can watch the bartenders and cooks (did I mention the open kitchen?) who are all always working so hard but also super friendly and silly, it's fun to be a part of. Random dance breaks on the regular, love it. (The music here is all over the place with live DJs most nights but it's always great energy.) Food and drinks: a little inconsistent but mostly great. Sometimes it takes quite awhile but their kitchen is pretty tiny so I get that, though sometimes it seems like the whole kitchen takes a break at the same time? I've had some over salted chicken and some over-cheesed pizza (I know I sound crazy but yes, I want to actually taste the other ingredients in the pizza, too!) but for the most part it's been great. I love a good tofu dish and their three cup tofu (get it extra spicy) is SO good. Also love their Shu mai and their chicken sandwich. The cocktails are fine (my boo loves the Hi T) but lately I've been drinking margaritas here..they're surprisingly good. Also a pretty good wine list these days! Great spot overall. Total gem, really. Come with a little time on your hands though, it gets so crowded!

Used to be a great spot, but I guess that that was 20 years ago I have been coming here off and on for over 20 years, always ordered and enjoyed the pork Sammie, but then they took the jalapeños out, not so good anymore.

Brunch was 10 out of 10 and one of the best chicken and waffles around the area. Get to the Saturday

(Visited 2/9/2021.) Working in Madison, WI at the university this week and this restaurant was recommended to me by Kevin at The Great Dane Pub & Brewery so I came to check it out! Here's how it went. Atmosphere/Appearance: Set right downtown near the state capitol building is this gem. It's a small spot with not a lot of signs and things screaming its name so I had to triple-check to make sure I was in the right place. Once inside you're immersed with a VERY intimate, seductive, exclusive vibe. There is RED everywhere. Lol. Once in the front door the bar is immediately in front of you and you make a left to have a couple of tables then a wall of booths that goes back a little ways to where there's a ramp that takes you to "private" setting where you can have a big group of friends gather for an event. It's really, really cool. I just love the darkness and elusiveness of this place. Very unique. Service: Since I ordered takeout I didn't get the chance to sit and experience the service, but the people who took care of me for takeout were excellent. They were kind, fast and made sure I had everything that I needed. They even let me film for my YouTube channel in there so that's always a plus. Food: So looking through the menu I saw a few things I wanted to try and 1 thing in particular that I had never seen anywhere else... First up were the Shu Mai, which are shrimp, sausage and water chestnut steamed dumplings. You do get 3 in an order and they come with a sweet/salty sauce on the side. They were delicious with a good salty, hearty taste and a soft, juicy texture. Next up were the Shrimp Cakes! These are concocted of shrimp and whitefish along with a secret batter of other ingredients then served alongside ginger-cilantro dressing. They were also very good. They were crispy on the outside, but soft, with a great seafood taste on the inside. The whitefish did overpower the shrimp, but obviously shrimp is expensive so the whitefish is sort of the filler. The ginger-cilantro dressing was a great complement to the cakes. Last, but not least was the Brie & Apple Pizza. I had never heard of such a thing, but I was so intrigued that I had to go for it. Lol. This is a thin crust pizza consistent of brie cheese, thin apple slices, sage, caramelized shallots with a roasted garlic purée as the base. This was INCREDIBLE. I ain't even gonna hold you up. The saltiness of the cheese went so well with the sweetness of the apples and the undertones of the shallots. It's almost impossible to accurately describe the flavors so you need to try it for yourself! Value: The Shu Mai were $6.00, Shrimp Cakes, $8.00 and the pizza was $17.00. I think the value is absolutely there. The food was on point, the atmosphere was excellent, I mean, the food is absolutely worth it. In conclusion, CHECK THIS PLACE out and thank you again Kevin for telling me about Natt Spil. If you've made it this far and haven't gotten enough... feel free to check out my YouTube channel where I give a video review of Natt Spill. Copy and paste this link into your browser "https://youtu.be/ke-HehF2Rjc" or search "The Hungry Road" on YouTube!

Came here on a Saturday night after a night out of bars. The late hours are such a huge bonus. Parking was tricky, but expected for a prime downtown spot. But if you've been drinking and Ubering, it's a non-issue. The restaurant atmosphere was cozy yet loud. There was an in-house DJ playing club music. I personally really enjoyed it! It is late night, after all :) We ordered the apple Brie pizza, mussels, and dumplings. I would go back for just the mussels alone. Just phenomenal food, especially given it's a late night menu. The only downside is that the service was inconsistent and the lighting was very poor. Our candles had just gone out, so we were using phone lights to read our menus. We asked for more candles, but they never came. It didn't ruin our experience, and I'm looking forward to updating this review with a more positive experience!

What a gem! The mussels here are to die for. The environment is eclectic and modern. Too loud for a first date, but great for a romantic night out with a significant other. I love that the kitchen is visible for patrons. The prep work and cooking I've witnessed has been top notch.

I was looking for a late dinner. A salad would have been perfect. I first went next door where the bar staff told me to take my own seat. After sitting there next door for 25min (staff completely ignored me) I gave up and came to Natt Spil. From now on my lateish night go to is Natt Spil. Natt Spil offered just the thing. A tasty Pinot Noir plus pork dumpling. Not the salad I originally had in mind. But this night, fate brought me more than I knew was possible. More than I know I deserve. Highly recommending Natt Spil. In truth I've been here many times over the past 20 years. I've never been disappointed.

Ran into this place late night. It's just Great. Atmosphere is great, staff is great and the food is fantastic.

Came here twice for try the food and chill vibes. Music was on point! Staff were great and attentive.

The Apple and Brie pizza was delicious. Price is maybe a tad high but the food was great.

Came here on a Thursday night with a party of four and we were seated right away! Really romantic atmosphere and the red lanterns on the ceiling are a nice touch! We all got pizzas and the star of the show was definitely the apple and Brie. Will definitely come again soon to try all of the appetizers. Amazing hidden gem right by the capital:)

This place has a really unique atmosphere and they play throwback music which is fun. The menu also has an eclectic assortment. Food is good - I recommend the Brie/apple pizza!

I visited for a late night Tuesday meal, grateful to find an interesting restaurant serving food till midnight. Nice atmosphere, good drinks, friendly staff. The three pot chicken dish I had was good at first but then the overdose of salt hit me. I'll try something else at the next visit.

Food and service is amazing always has music to jam to. In door and outdoor seating. Drink menu is super fire. Recommend and open late night for food

hidden gem for sure, i mean i wish i knew about this place sooner. v good atmosphere, solid food from interesting menu. I really like the pizza pear pizza and the crab cakes are v good as well

So incredibly overrated! Just like the rest of the Madison food scene. Kitchen was totally over worked and the server forgot half the order, both tables on either side didn't even stay and wait for the food.

Excellent eclectic restaurant in the heart of Madison. The place is kind of hidden gem as it doesn't have a clear signboard outside. Great food and drink selection. The service is top notch. The place is great for hanging out with friends. The music can be loud at times but it gels well with the vibe. They are very friendly and help you with some great recommendations if in doubt. Must visit when in town.

I've passed by here many times without realizing it and I'm glad a friend told me about it to try out! Signage outside is super minimal and the space inside is intimate and cozy. The drinks are unique and tasty, although I like em a tad stronger. My favorite was a seasonal cocktail that reflected a mulled wine. Very yummy! The food is just as delicious. The name doesn't give away any genre of food and I would say Nate Spil has a lot of various influences and fusions like Chinese, American, and Italian. We got one of the specials of the day, a wood-fired oven pizza which was incredibly tasty. Will be back!!

The other reviews I've read on this place are hysterical. *eyeroll* Ive been coming here for literally 2 decades. It's always fabulous, consistent, and kewl. Ppl act like this place is brand new. Ha! The staff is amazing. I love that not much has changed over the years. Please guys; never change.

THANK YOU FOR BEING OPEN ON VALENTINES DAY! Music was loud but the atmosphere was chill and the food was amazing. I suggest the pulled pork sandwich and any pizza, you can't go wrong with either! I guess I never finished my review so it's late. Sorry

I enjoy Natt Spil! I've only ever come here for drinks, but the pizza looks delicious! I recommend the sangria. I liked it a ton and probably would order a pitcher if that were an option. I don't think it is. They don't have many beers, but the selection they had seemed good. I got a grapefruit sour. I forget what brewing company it was from. It is a little dark in here and the music can be loud. The music is eclectic and doesn't conform to a certain genre.

amazing espresso martinis with their house infused espresso? tito's (with a cherry). also their spicy cheese wantons...we ATE those up you might actually be 2 blocks from the capitol, but i feel like i was transported to a hip fusion restaurant in san fran (but i'm not trying to pay $2000+ a month for a studio with a communal bathroom)

DIM SUM! Perfect date night spot. It is dark and intimate. The loud atmosphere forces you to get close to who ever you are with... or yell. I have tried most of their menu items (they haven't changed much with the exception of their specials). My personal favorite is the three cup chicken. It is a huge portion of chicken and rice with a tomato salad. Other favorites include the dumplings, wood-fired oven pizzas, and pretty much everything else on the menu. Don't miss it. They don't have a sign, but the atmosphere will draw you in from the street.

Natt Spil has gone downhill recently. It's really inconsistent on both quantity and quality of food with a lot of its dim sum options overly salty rather than umami. It's not horrible but not nearly worth the increasing prices. On the upside: Their ambiance is great, and there are a ton of great specialty alcohol options. (Try the Hi T or espresso vodka shot!) Update: They now also take credit cards, and you can order online! Woot!

I don't want to be that person, but I legitimately cannot believe what happened to me. I wanted to get a drink before bar close and the bartender didn't serve me because she had chosen to prioritize "people who worked there" before me. This is a discriminatory practice. Then proceeded to call me a "drunk a**hole" to her co-workers! I have never experienced a more discouraging bar experience in my 31 years of life.

This is the best bar in Madison, hands down. I actually would place it as one of the best bars in the USA. I was there last Saturday night and the DJ they had spinning was killing it (as usual). I spent two years at grad school in Madison and i stopped here several nights a week. Good music, good cocktails, and good food. The menu, while small, is excellent. If it is your first time there, definitely have the Three Cup Chicken. I have heard a few people say it is a little salty, but isn't that what beer is for? The pizza's are all good and they usually have some good appetizers also. The beer selection is diverse yet representative of Wisconsin. The only knock on this place is that it can get hard to navigate when it gets crowded as it is a small bar. The servers manage to navigate it pretty well though so if you just grab a seat you'll have no problem getting service. I hate to even write a review of this place because if too many people (or undergrads) get wind of the place it might lose it's charm. But as is, Natt Spil, you are perfect! Now please open a branch down the street from me in Chicago.

Had such an amazing experience! I was visiting with friends from NYC; Rachel and Devan were the best servers. The food was amazing. 10/10 would come back again and recommend it to everyone!