Safina
Sicilian restaurant · Juneau Town ·

Safina

Sicilian restaurant · Juneau Town ·

Classic Italian eatery with authentic Sicilian cuisine and great service

Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null
Safina by null

Information

785 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Get directions

$30–50

Reserve a table
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended
Cozy

Information

Static Map

785 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Get directions

+1 414 677 8518
safinamke.com
@safinamke

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Romantic
•Trendy

Last updated

Jan 24, 2026

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Where to Eat During Lent in Houston | Eater Houston

"At Safina, internationally trained chef and Portuguese native Tiago Almeida offers a fresh Mediterranean take on Lent with dishes like a saffron and lime risotto; you can elevate the dish by adding salmon or shrimp, and it's available every Friday throughout Lent during both lunch and dinner service." - Gabi De la Rosa

https://houston.eater.com/2020/2/28/21157032/where-to-eat-lent-houston
Safina

Jayvian T

Google
*4.5 stars* This place is cute, and the waitstaff was great. I recommend the Parmesan eggplant fries, that and the cheesecake were the best things we ate. I had the chicken Parmesan as my main meal and it was good but I’ve had better. I do appreciate the fresh taste of the ingredients, you can tell it’s homemade. I would come back to try some of the other dishes.

Ken Z.

Google
Really beautiful restaurant! Service was top notch. Food was to shelf! From the bread to the desserts, all 100% delicious. Red sauce is usually just red sauce, I've never had red sauce like this. It was a whole new level. Look at all the pictures, everything was delicious! When we got to Milwaukee we didn't know where to go and found Safina on Google maps. It was walking distance from our hotel and we are glad we found it. When we're back in Milwaukee we will be going back to Safina. Btw...we didn't have reservations but we were lucky to get a seat. Better off making reservations to to make sure you get a seat. We literally got the only open table, we lucked out!

Nibs

Google
Excellent Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown. Everything our group had was fresh, tasty and hearty. They don't skimp on the portions here! The pasta puttanesca served with the halibut was the tastiest pasta dish I've had in a long, long time. Cocktails and wine were as good as the food. Staff were the perfect blend of attentive but not overbearing. Wonderful meal. Highly recommended.

Brad B.

Google
Safina rules! We had a big group dinner here for my wife's 40th birthday and this place knocked it out of the park. They were great to work with in advance of the event, they were flexible and reasonable as weather impacted our head count, AND then once we got there everything was set beautifully for us and their staff were so friendly and great. We loved our experience here and can't wait to go back. I recommend them for any event :)

Alex H

Google
Tried this place last night - it was so lovely. I really loved the dish I got - penne all vodka. The sauce was so good! We also tried the bruschetta (its with brusell sprouts which is unique and yummy) and the fried egg plant! I also had the lemon drop martini. Very good. Great experience overall!

Rachel B

Google
Safina is truly a gem in Milwaukee’s dining scene. True to authentic Sicilian cuisine! From the moment you walk in, the warm and inviting ambiance sets the perfect tone for a memorable evening. The atmosphere strikes a wonderful balance between upscale and cozy, making it ideal for both a romantic date night and a special gathering with friends. The food is exceptional, starting with the appetizers (bruschetta and melanzana fritte). We cannot stop thinking of the bruschetta to this day. Definitely a must try! For entrees, we had Gio’s stuffed filet and the frutta di mare. We ended our meal with their special lemon blueberry cake and their panna cotta. We cannot say enough good things about Safina. We highly recommend and will surely be back to enjoy their cuisine again!

Rebecca B.

Google
If you want an old school Italian restaurant feel and taste, then Safina is the place. We had a large work group and they accommodated everyone so well. The food was delish - get the bruschetta and eggplant for app - you won't regret it! I could have just had that as a meal! My Chicken Parm was amazing; very tasty and huge portions! 3 large thing chicken breasts. I also ordered a side garlic bread because I am a connoisseur of GB! It was also delish! And the Moscato - some of the best I've ever tasted! Will definitely be back! Make reservations ahead of time!

Alma B

Google
Found this neighborhood gem on a recent trip to Milwaukee. Loved the old charm of the building. We started with the calamari,it was excellent! Along with the fresh bread and the house olive oil fromSicily. We split the special, Spiedini and the eggplant parmigiano. The tastes were excellent. Finished with the homemade cannoli. Only regret, wish that they were open on Sundays. We will definitely be back. Next time will try the fried eggplant! (It looked amazing)
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Sofia M.

Yelp
Safina is a gem in Milwaukee. From the moment we sat down, the service was flawless--multiple staff members checked in often, making sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed. It felt like genuine hospitality, the kind you don't see everywhere. We started with their fresh bread and mozzarella, which set the tone right away--warm, crusty bread paired with creamy mozzarella that was just indulgent enough to make you want more. The penne alla vodka was rich, silky, and perfectly balanced between savory and slightly sweet, with just the right kick from the sauce. It's one of those pastas you keep eating even after you're full because every bite is that good. For dessert, we shared both the cannoli and the tiramisu, and honestly, I can't pick a favorite. The cannoli had that perfect crunch with a smooth, lightly sweetened filling, while the tiramisu was cloud-like, layered with espresso and cocoa in all the right proportions. Safina nails what Italian dining should be--warm, welcoming, and consistently delicious. We left already planning what we'll order next time.
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Ashley S.

Yelp
Restaurant is gorg, service was phenomenal, food and drinks- chef's kiss! Can't wait to come back
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Tim R.

Yelp
I've had the pleasure of dining at Safina twice so far. Both times were rather pleasureful and left me beyond full. This time, I took my wife and son to have them check out the Sicilian fare. The vibe is really warm, dim, and cozy. Safina is located in a historic building downtown and gives off the energy of a place that is loved. The staff were really attentive, kind, and made the evening smooth. Twice, the owner and the manager came by to check in on us. But, that alone doesn't make a place great. It all comes down to the meal. Safina is Sicilian, but really seems like it has more of an American/Italian menu. Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken isn't anything one would find in Sicily, for example. I don't even recall eggplant parmesan or fried strips of eggplant while I visited the island. Still, the food is well made and absolutely yummy. I had the fusilli with pesto cream. My dish was really good, but a bit too much cream and not enough pesto for my liking. My wife had a burrata salad, which she thought was really fresh and tasty. The boy had the classic American fettuccine Alfredo. He downed it quickly. We capped off the evening with tiramisu (cheer me up in Italian). Safina is a good, perfectly run spot and a romantic place for people looking for some quality American/Italian fare.
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Bill S.

Yelp
I wish I would have taken more pictures. Perfect waitress and took care of a table of 6 flawlessly. Water, cocktails, bread and olive oil brought to table quickly. Refills before drinks completed. The food was incredible and will definitely be back. Was also nice speaking to a few of Giovanni's employees about the recipes used. Calamari was so light and crispy without any chewy parts. The FRUTTA DI MARE was so good I would have eaten another serving even though I was not hungry. Recommend 100%
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Michelle L.

Yelp
Our new fav italian spot in mke! I was surprised by how good this place was, especially given the somewhat basic menu. Definitely a romantic sort of restaurant with more upscale vibes. I fear I may have been underdressed w my fit bc I did not look up the dress code beforehand and was not expecting it to be so fancy. Our waitress was concise and a no bullshit gal and I appreciated her straightforward recommendations. We pretty much got everything she suggested -- the pistachio pesto pasta is a MUST get. Perhaps the best pesto pasta I've ever had in my life. tomatoes on the bruschetta were so fresh and I loooved the straciatella cheese under. The veal (served "cotaletta" style) was very tender and so fun to try. We were so stuffed by the end of dinner but made room for cheesecake and that was also so delicious!!!!! absolutely can't wait to come back to get the pesto pasta again
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Kimberly K.

Yelp
Service: Staff was very friendly, but service was a bit slow. After we had our calamari, we had to wait a good while for entrees. Decor: Great ambiance for a date night. Food: We had the calamari which was a great portion and very crispy. I had the Chicken Parmesan and my husband had the veal. We loved how flavorful the sauce was, it was delish. However, there was just so much of it that it made the breading very soggy, which was not the best. Portion wise, they are very large and we probably could have shared one dish! Overall, we did like our visit and recommend it for anyone looking for Italian in the city!
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Ronda D.

Yelp
So awesome- nicely managed. You feel they care and want you to have the best experience. Food was outstanding. Ordered the fried zucchini- was such a big portion- we actually shared them with the table next to us! So good- could have ate the whole plate for dinner.... Didn't take one pic of dinner- was so good that we just dug right in. Shrimp diavolo and ragu al forno.... Both outstanding. Our waitress was pleasant and our dinner was perfect. We sat at the bar for an after dinner drink.
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Rick R.

Yelp
After two visits, I can confidently say this is one of the premier Italian restaurants in town! The Safina family owned and operated Giovanni's on Brady Street "back in the day," and they've been engaged in the city's bar and restaurant scene ever since. They also own The Sofie. I've enjoyed the Calamari, Eggplant Fries, Frutti de Mare, Tiramisu, and tonight's Beef Spedini special! My friend also let me try her Eggplant Parmesan, and it was also delicious! The textures and flavors of all the dishes I've tried have been on point, and the service has been friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The portion sizes have also been generous. We both took home leftovers tonight! Safina is on my list of favorites, and if you haven't been yet, you need to go soon!
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Warren D.

Yelp
Date of visit: December 14, 2024 O. M. G. What a wonderful gem of a restaurant! While I had never heard of it, some good friends of ours were huge fans and it is so easy to see why, everything was fabulous! We were seated upstairs, which was wonderful--except for when a giant group came in and attempted to talk over each other simultaneously... Thankfully that was at the end of our meal and was time to head out anyway. All of the food was wonderful. The ragu with meat sauce was fabulous and I almost forgot about the appetizers--you can never go wrong with fried cheese and calamari--as they were a wonderful start to the experience. And did I mention the tiramisu? I didn't, because you save the best for last and this truly was The Best! Honestly, my only complaint is that they were trying to be a little TOO authentic Italy with the room temperature water at the table. Girl, we need ice here in the States; don't have us drinking that tepid water!
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Jill B.

Yelp
We kicked off 2025 with dinner at Safina - the perfect place for a quiet date night! The ambiance is top notch - the dining room on the main level is intimate and cozy. They offered a Peroni NA beer, which my husband enjoyed, and since I didn't see any other NA options, I just stuck with water. We absolutely loved the bruschetta with goat cheese, crispy Brussels sprouts and honey - every bite was perfectly composed and so delicious. The perfect start to our meal! We ordered the fusilloni al pistachio and the shrimp diavolo. The server rated it a 5/10 for heat, which sounded great. The food came out quickly and piping hot, and the portion sizes were generous. My husband said the shrimp should have been rated a 7/10, and he really likes spicy food, so maybe beware a little if you're not looking for something too spicy. The fusilloni was fantastic - our server said it was their most popular dish. Toward the end of our entrees, we noticed most of other tables had bread and oil - so perhaps we were supposed to get it as well and did not? We opted not to ask since we were done with our meals, but I do love freshly baked bread! Not the end of the world. One other issue was our waters were only refilled once, when we were almost done with our meals, and since I was only drinking water, that was a bummer. It was tough to get our server's attention to get more. For dessert we shared the chocolate panna cotta and it was phenomenal - so good! Cherry preserve, chiffonade of mint, crunchy toffee brittle - we loved all of the flavors and textures, and it was a great way to end our meal. Overall, a fantastic evening, and we would go back. Be sure to try Safina if you haven't yet!
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Alma-aliyah T.

Yelp
The restaurant was beautiful and the service and food were good! My only problem was that I think we went on a day that was was either the beginning of their week, or the end, and because their schedule varied and they source their ingredients fresh, a hand full of things that I was looking forward to eating, they said that they were out of. I shouldn't be upset about a restaurant outsourcing fresh ingredients, but I was disappointed and it was something that I didn't know before going! We would have chosen a better day to visit haha.
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Ally S.

Yelp
Highlights 1) Great Service 2) Gluten-Free Friendly* 3) Good for Groups Came here for a dinner with a group of 6 on a Thursday night. I had made a reservation in advance which was easy to do online. We were seated in their upstairs dining area promptly upon arrival. Our service throughout the night was friendly and paced just right for our meal! We did a cheese plate and the roasted veggies for appetizers to share and then we all got a variety of pastas. They have gluten-free pasta which is awesome! *Not sure if this is a fully dedicated GF kitchen. I would recommend calling ahead if you have additional questions. I had the gluten-free pistachio penne and it was great! Start to finish, this was a fun and delicious meal. Can't wait to be back!
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Sandy N.

Yelp
My girlfriend picked Safina for our September birthDATE, and I couldn't wait to try some classic Sicilian dining. The restaurant was cozy and seriously smelled like a grandmom's kitchen. They brought out some bread with olive oil from their family farm?, which was a great start. But let me tell you about the eggplant fries--they were absolutely addicting, and they gave us such a generous portion. Perfectly salty, not oily, and not soggy at all. I made the rookie mistake of getting carried away with them before my ragu alforno with garlic bread arrived. Hi carbs! The ragu was on the sweeter side, but still rich and homey. My friend got the fusilloni al pistachio, and wow, the guanciale and cream sauce were chef's kiss. It was an unexpected pesto that was very savory. You can't go wrong with either dish, depending on if you're in the mood for something more traditional or a little different. We ended our carb feast with a very big birthday tiramisu, and it was the perfect finish. The staff was super sweet, with multiple people checking in on us. I'm really interested in trying more of the menu (carpaccio, veal, and nonna's eggplant parmigiana) and now, everyone I told wants to go too.
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Emily H.

Yelp
Such an amazing restaurant! It has a small, intimate feeling, and the food is outstanding. The owner was walking around and he was very sweet. We got the eggplant fries (which is a HUGE portion), and I tried the penne alla vodka, which was super unique and tasty. I wish I had remembered to take pictures, but the food was so good I ate it all before remembering!! Can't wait to come back

Maria P.

Yelp
We stopped in Safina after reading raving reviews about the pasta. However, the energy of the restaurant seemed high stress and overall was an extremely mid experience. Our party of 2 got the bruschetta as a starter and personally, was not my favorite and would avoid ordering again. For our mains, we got the fettuccine alfredo and fusilloni al pistachio. The alfredo was lackluster and nothing to write home about. The fusilloni was my favorite part of the night. My partner argued however that the cheesecake we got for dessert was the best part. As mentioned earlier, the energy was pretty chaotic. The second we set our forks down, they'd take the plate away or ask if we needed a box. I appreciate the speed but everyone working seemed pretty on edge while we were there and were trying to get us out as quickly as possible. Nothing was bad per say, just for the price, wasn't worth it and have no real desire to come back. 6/10

Luke C.

Yelp
Great service, environment and food! Calamari was amazing with the sauce and the penne alla vodka with shrimp was amazing also. The shrimp tasted really yummy. Cannoli was also really good. Highly recommend!
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Jack L.

Yelp
Wow! This place is immediately one of my favorite MKE restaurants! The noise level was that perfect one where there's no music needed and you don't feel awkward because everyone around you is in their own conversations. We recently traveled to Italy and this is the closest we've felt to being back. The food was just amazing, I can't say enough about the pistachio pesto, it was that good! Everything we had was delicious, the family olive oil and bread, the cannoli, the bruschetta, the chicken Parmesan and the pesto. Everything was amazing! If you're looking for the best place in MKE to split a bottle of wine and have great Italian food, this is the place!

Kevin D.

Yelp
Food and service were top notch and they were reasonably priced. Good wine and dessert selections as well.
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Danielle R.

Yelp
I have had this restaurant on my list for several months so was excited to try it! The exterior is unassuming but sophisticated, as is the interior. It's a small restaurant with a bar area in the back. The one issue we had was being seated quite late when we had already made a reservation - likely because of how small the restaurant is but it was somewhat disappointing. We ordered two appetizers: the bruschetta and the mozzarella. The bruschetta was unique and enticing with eggplant pieces - it was a fresh take which I really enjoyed. For a main dish, I ordered the fusilloni al pistachio, which was incredible. The rich flavors and crunch from the pistachios was perfect. We did save some room for dessert and ordered the cheesecake, which was also delicious. Overall really enjoyed my visit to this restaurant! I hope next time the service is a bit more organized since we had made a reservation.
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Danielle W.

Yelp
What a great addition to the Milwaukee restaurant scene. The food was so good, the service was great, the ambiance was just fine. We went rather early on a weeknight and thankfully had reservations because it was busy! You're started with crispy bread and tasty olive oil. I kind of wish they had balsamic too. We ordered a salad to share amongst the three of us and it was perfectly portioned to do so. One of us ordered the chicken parmesan, the other the fettuccine alfredo, and the last the fusilloni al pistachio. All were so good. The chicken parmesan came with a side of pasta and a pretty large portion of chicken. The fettuccine can be topped with a protein (or not!) and the fusilloni was creamy goodness with a breadcrumb topping. Reservations are easy to make on the website. Parking nearby can be tricky, but you'll definitely find a spot within a block or two. The seating is very close in the restaurant and it's pretty loud. The chairs weren't the most comfortable either. I do think it's a vibe though. Overall, I'll definitely be back.
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Chant S.

Yelp
I love everything about this place! Food was delicious, drinks were good, service and ambiance were spectacular. Will definitely return!
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Patricia Y.

Yelp
Everything gets 5 stars at Safina: Service (shout out to Brian) - 5 stars Ambiance - 5 stars FUSILLONI AL PISTACHIO - 5 stars FRUTTA DI MARE - 5 stars MELANZANA FRITTE - 5 stars PINO'S BURRATA - 5 stars Giovanni, the owner, was filling our waters and so humble. Safina is our new favorite Italian restaurant in Milwaukee!!
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Mikayla M.

Yelp
What an absolutely charming restaurant! From the moment we walked in, everything exceeded our expectations. The olive oil served with the bread was so flavorful, and the bruschetta had a unique twist that really stood out. We enjoyed several dishes, including the penne alla vodka (my personal favorite), Momma's Vesuvio, and the fusilloni pistachio -- each one was delicious in its own way. We finished the meal with a classic tiramisu that was the perfect sweet ending. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was excellent, and the food was unforgettable. We couldn't have asked for a better experience, and I'm already looking forward to our next visit!
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Yuliya M.

Yelp
Why go to Italy when Italy is only 15 min away from me! The place is very cute and cozy, felt like home. Service was wonderful and everyone who works there makes you really feel like family! Food, was out of this world. We got bruschetta, insalate di mare, fusilloni al pistachio, chicken parmigiana just to name a few. If it was acceptable for adult to lick a plate in public, this would've been the place. Everything was sooooooo good. The flavor was on point! We also ended up Coming with the whole family (10 people) and everyone enjoyed every bit of the food. Some even keep coming back for the famous eggplant ;)
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Amy K.

Yelp
We went here to celebrate our engagement, and they made it really special. We ordered the vodka penne, and the pistachio pasta dish. Both were amazing. We had the calamari for an appetizer and it was probably the best I've ever had. Also the tiramisu?! Incredible. Perfect to share (for 2).
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Dawn B.

Yelp
Loved it! Very quaint! I have had a lot of halibut dishes in my life and Safina's was the best I have ever had. Service was also great!
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joe ..

Yelp
I had the stuffed steak and it was out of this world delicious my den companions I'll had something different and they were very, very pleased with their selections
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Nathan P.

Yelp
First time trying Safina and it was great! Small dining area, but very nice, service was very attentive and friendly. Had the fried eggplant for an appetizer and it was the best we've ever had, will get this every time we go. My wife had the chicken Parmesan and I had the stuffed filet mignon. Both were terrific! The chicken parm was a huge serving, three chicken breasts over fettucine in marinara sauce, plenty for dinner and heated up the next day. The stuffed filet had cheese and prosciutto and a ton of onions, both carmelized and fried strings on top. All the flavors came together wonderfully and the steak was cooked perfectly medium, on top of fingerling potatoes (more like a steak fry). The only critique was probably about half the amount of onions would have been fine, enjoyed both but just too many, although wouldn't stop me from ordering this again, it was great!

Chris B.

Yelp
Delicious food. Excellent wine. Really solid service at bar by an overworked bartender. Recommend highly!
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Abby S.

Yelp
I am so glad my friend suggested this spot for our dinner. To start, the ambiance is incredibly cozy and intimate (and had some really cute Holiday decor). Our server was attentive and friendly and had good menu suggestions. We started with the Bruschetta - the flavor pairing was so yummy, I just wish the order came with more than 3. I ordered the Fusilloni Al Pistachio and WOW - this was an outstanding dish I will be thinking about until I can get it again. I highly recommend. My friend ordered the Penne Alla Vodka and had nothing but great things to say. We split the Panna Cotta for dessert - also VERY good. Overall we had zero complaints and both are already planning out next visit to Safina!
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Josh D.

Yelp
Generous portions sizes, reasonable prices, and excellent service. My wife and I enjoyed well-crafted cocktails to start our evening (Pomegranate Martini and Safina Negroni, respectively) and were both thrilled with the quality of our chosen dishes (she got the Fettuccine Alfredo and I tried the Wild Boar Ragu Special). The front of house was attentive and helpful without crowding our space at any time. Overall, a memorable and wholly enjoyable experience. We plan to return soon.
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Grace S.

Yelp
I tried Safina for the first time last weekend. My reservation was for 7:15PM on a Saturday night. The place was busy with a lively- but not too noisy- energy. The decor is classy. My friend and I had an Aperol spritz at the bar before dinner. Our drinks were tasty and generously poured. We were served warm bread with olive oil. The bread was tasty and fresh and the olive oil was delicious. I appreciated the server telling us a bit about the source of the olive oil. We ordered the carpaccio as a started. The plate could have been a bit colder, but the dish was good. It wasn't the best carpaccio I've had, but I would order it again. I especially liked the crostini served with it. I orderer the frutta di mare. All of the seafood was cooked well and the pasta was tasty. The dish was very reasonably priced. My "picky" friend ordered the fettuccini alfredo with chicken. It was absolutely delicious. The chicken had a wonderful char. With my meal, I ordered a glass of the barbera. The wine wad fantastic. I'd have preferred it in a classic red wine glass, as I nearly spilled it while trying to aerate. We were too full for dessert, but I certainly have an appetite to return! Our server was attentive and knowledgeable and the manager/owner checked on our table several times. I cannot wait to try more items on the menu!
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Brittany D.

Yelp
After trying this place out- I've realized I need to be more selective with who receives a 5 star rating from me. Making reservations was easy- the service we received from our waitress was top notch. We didn't have to ask for drinks or to have things removed from table,etc - she was just on it! Food came out quickly, hot and fresh. The ambiance inside the resturant is very nice. Dark and sort of loud - perfect for a night out. The quality and presentation of the food was incredible. Coming from a Sicilian household growing up I had much to compare it to. The bread and olive oil was a classic start (olive oil had the most delectable taste). We ordered the Melanzana Fritte - perfectly cooked not soggy. Insalata Di Mare - perfect combination of flavors and made with quality seafood, obviously. Calamari Fritte- perfect buttery taste and texture ..... again obviously made with quality seafood. Chicken Parmesan over fettuccine , Veal Rib-eye , Penne Alla Vodka all made wonderfully. If the Old fashioned (sweet) we ordered all evening long were that carefully crafted and delicious -I can only imagine the rest of the drinks they serve are the same. The price for the quality of food is on point. Highly recommend and will certainly be back.

Morgan T.

Yelp
My fiancée and I recently went to Safina right after getting engaged. Our waitress and the restaurant took such good care of us and went out of their way to make us feel special! We had so much fun celebrating there. For dinner we had the burrata salad to start which was amazing. And for entrees we had the chicken parm and the penne alla vodka, both were so good! Definitely recommend Safina, 10 out of 10!
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Leah G.

Yelp
I visited Safina with a work group to celebrate a teammates work anniversary and wow was this place good! It's a beautiful Italian spot in cathedral square. The owner was there and visited our table a few times to make sure we were enjoying ourselves which was very sweet. They have wine on tap and by the bottle so quite a few to choose from! We tried a couple appetizers - eggplant strips and calamari which were delicious and the table loved. For my entree I ordered the chicken Parmesan. This is definitely my new favorite place for chicken Parmesan - the portion is amazing and the chicken is so tender. The pasta with marinara is so flavorful as well. We finished our dinner by splitting the tiramisu which was the perfect wrap up to a wonderful dinner. 10s all around!
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Mark S.

Yelp
Outstanding cuisine. Deliciously prepared food in a vibrant atmosphere, graciously served. One of the Best restaurant experiences we've had in a long time. Highly recommend a visit to Safina!
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Parisienne B.

Yelp
We arrived in Milwaukee during the freezing cold weather. It took us about 5 minutes to walk from our hotel in downtown to Safina. The restaurant is located on the well lit street with Christmas lights and decorations, and occupies the 2 story historic building. We loved the place: the waitresses are well trained, although very busy, and running between 2 floors like the athletes, however they are focused, attentive, nice, and up to the task. The food is fresh, hot, top quality. We felt great! The public that attends this restaurant seems to be smartly dressed, and acting civilized, keeping their conversation volume appropriately indoors. It's not always promised at some of the American restaurants. We felt welcome, and well taken care of at the Safina. As far as the ambiance there: it looks like there is an intelligent woman runs this restaurant. It looks like all the small details are thoughtfully taken care of by the great and caring owners or the management of Safina. I highly recommend this very good restaurant!

Joe K.

Yelp
The best Italian and competitive on any best restaurant list. Every dish is well done and the ambiance is great.

Heather B.

Yelp
Had a reservation which they ignored - pass / better Italian food elsewhere - would not suffer
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Xiomary S.

Yelp
I will preface this by saying that I was SO looking forward to our reservation and had my eyes set on their FUSILLONI AL PISTACHIO. Our reservation was at 6:30 on a Saturday and by that time it was sold out. So I quickly had to pivot to the RAGÜ AL FORNO. It was yummy, a classic, but I was left wanting the other dish. The mozzarella appetizer was great. The tangy tomatoes sauce evens it out. The complimentary bread and special olive oil were a nice treat. The bar was able to make a cocktail off the menu, very accommodating. The service was overall excellent. The place is small, very loud and has dim lighting. I would like to go back to try the dish I originally wanted.
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K K.

Yelp
Great location with warm and welcoming atmosphere. Service was outstanding. Entrees were piping hot and delicious.
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Hanna P.

Yelp
Holy moly, the words out of my mouth after dining at Safina's. Safina's is a new restaurant located in cathedral square that serves a wonderful array of Italian dishes. The food: amazing. We began with the Melanzanna fritte (zuchini fries) with added parm and they were so yummy! I wish we had more marinara sauce as a suggestion for the Sagina team. Next we had the pork belly martinicio. This was so delicious and the pork belly was incredibly tender. We split the Rosetta salad which is a wonderful size to share for 2. It was refreshing and the flavors were great. We ended our meal with a gluten free order of the fusillioni Al pistachio. A spin on carbonara and a hit out the park. I couldn't tell the noodles were gluten free. This was my favorite dish of the night. One suggestion for improvement would be to hear the offered bread. It was cold and the flavors were lost due to the lack of warmth to the bread. Thank you, Elizabeth who was such a joy to have as our server. Thank you Safina's! I'll be back :)
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Augie R.

Yelp
Had a very tasty visit to Safina this past week. The food was very good. My wife's fusilloni al pistacchio was truly outstanding. My bone-in pork chop was quite good but not exceptional. And our friends were happy with their fettuccine alfredo. Service was also very good, although it seemed the bar was a bit understaffed for the crowd. (The bartender was excellent, however.) My only concern--and the thing that might prevent me from rushing back--was that the dining room was astronomically loud. It was almost comical how loud we had to yell across the table to be heard. I found the noise level uncomfortable, which didn't make for a pleasant dining experience.

Lylani P.

Yelp
The waiter we had was amazing and his service was top tier. I ordered the Penne alla Vodka and it was so good. It was rich in flavor and perfectly balanced. Though I didn't take a picture, if you need a reference, the picture posted from 6 months ago is the most accurate; super red, creamy, and sauced well. The atmosphere was nice as well and very comforting for my sister's birthday.
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Leah L.

Yelp
Jackie was an excellent server... Everything was delicious ...great food & service and I cannot wait for my next dining experience!
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Cathy D.

Yelp
Nothing to say except excellent. Service with Bentley was wonderful. The vibe of the restaurant is wonderful and the food was out of this world
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Julie B.

Yelp
Went last evening and had an absolutely delicious meal. My portion of Nonna's eggplant parmesan was enormous and wonderful. The starter of roasted vegetables (ARROSTITO) was mildly spiced. The chianti was robust and paired well with the food. The wild boar (CANNELLONI CINGHIALLE) was tender and flavorful. The desserts (cannoli & tiramisu) were great with the cannoli crisp and the pistachios not overpowering. The tiramisu was enormous, as well as delightfully tasty, light, and fluffy. The services courteous and attentive. and the space was delightfully cozy. Can't wait to return and try more of the menu.
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Michael J.

Yelp
You can tell they put some love into the inside and outside of this cute spot. The service was amazing and the food was delish. Welcome to the neighborhood I'm a fan of the Safinas.

Michael B.

Yelp
Incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff serving some of the best, homemade Italian food I've had in years. The dishes are bursting with flavor, enhanced by their house made olive oil imported from Sicily. Fabulous portion sizes, versatile menu, sensational meal.