SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining

Italian restaurant · Downer Woods

SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining

Italian restaurant · Downer Woods

1

2613 E Hampshire St, Milwaukee, WI 53211

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SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null
SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining by null

Highlights

Sicilian pastas, pizzas, salads, and Italian sodas  

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2613 E Hampshire St, Milwaukee, WI 53211 Get directions

saladining.com
@sala_modernsicilian

$30–50 · Menu

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2613 E Hampshire St, Milwaukee, WI 53211 Get directions

+1 414 964 2611
saladining.com
@sala_modernsicilian

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 28, 2025

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A family‑run East Side fixture for over two decades, SALA brings modern Sicilian cooking—sugo, seafood pastas, and pizzas—to a cozy corner near UWM. Loved by locals and still evolving with daytime hours.

https://saladining.com/
Italian Restaurants in Milwaukee (2025)
View Postcard for SALA - Modern Sicilian Dining

Ela Zed

Google
Great dining experience. I like their fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp. I do feel it's somewhat overpriced, however . Pasta and sauce with some standard sized shrimp shouldn't cost almost $40. I enjoyed the arugula salad and the bruschetta was very flavorful and crispy. I love their creamy Italian sodas and always get the hazelnut flavor. Our server was phenomenal. Great place for a birthday dinner.

Z Zylka

Google
Beth server was great !!! Very attentive!! Food was excellent loved the Carciofi !! N the flourless chocolate cake was da bomb. Halibut special in Dijon sauce was great. The old fashioned sour uses sour syrup as a heads up. It was wife's retirement n they made it very special with candle in the canoli n a card as well!! Very thoughtful !!!! Definitely go back plus want to try the pizza.

Ann Wills

Google
Food was delicious! Service was perfect. Made a reservation for our large group and had a simple but elegant table setting. Highly recommend the limoncello tiramisu for a summer treat. Traditional tiramisu is spectacular as well.

Ali Abedi

Google
Sitting outside at Sala transports you to little cafes in old Italy 🇮🇹 with a vibe that is unmatched. The paninis are well made with thinly slices ingredients and crispy bread. Truly a gem next to UWM. I tried Italian beef with giardenira which was delightful. Very convenient location with street parking and beautiful setting makes this a regular place for the locals.

Natasha Lindow

Google
We dined here on NYE and it was our first visit here. We live on the opposite side of town, so don’t get over here often but our plans led us to this vicinity that evening. Service was very attentive and friendly. There was some specials for the holiday that night and I ordered the lobster pasta. The bread they brought out was plain though. Needs seasoning or salt on it. We put salt on the bread and dipped in the sauce they brought for it.much better after that! Dinner entree also came with a side salad, and the creamy garlic dressing is very tasty. My husband tried a pizza. He thought the crust was good, but didn’t think the sauce was that good he said. We will return and try other things. I liked my meal a lot. Nice place, have had friends all recommend and it was a nice place at a decent price. No leftovers we ate it!

Mel Brousseau

Google
Although a bit pricey, Sala offers good food and great service. A small bar offers a nice spot to have a drink and wait for your table, and two inside dining areas (as well as an outdoor patio for the warmer months) offer plenty of seating options. The spinach salad was delicious, loaded with fresh strawberries. However, I would have loved a little more goat cheese. My husband ordered the split pea and ham soup, which was a bit thick in consistency yet very good. There was plenty of ham and fresh vegetables, making this hearty side a nice dish on its own. We went on a Thursday night with friends when Sala was also having their trivia night. Although we did not participate, the questions were great, and it sounded like a lot of fun!

John Contreras

Google
Holy smokes!!! The pasta here is incredible!!! I got the arrabarrieta and it was phenomenal!! Also really really enjoyed the Italian cream soda. Staff was super welcoming and fun! Highly recommend going here for dinner!

Jen Peters

Google
Really lovely little spot with great service and delicious food. A new favorite. We had several birthdays in our group and the staff drew birthdays cards and signed them. So sweet.
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Faith B.

Yelp
My BF brought me to Sala for a celebratory dinner recently. We sat outside because it was quite loud inside, so I can't speak to the environment. The service we had was good. Our waitress was attentive even though we were her only table outside. We started with the breaded eggplant. The sauce was good and clearly fresh and house made, but the eggplant was under cooked and quite firm. BF had the minestrone and quite enjoyed it. I had the mushroom soup and it was excellent - full of umami. We also shared a lovely bottle of wine - a second choice after the first choice was sold out. I had the Verde pasta, which was full of flavor, with a little spicy kick. BF had the Arrabbiata and fully enjoyed it. Although we were quite full and happy, we had to split some tiramisu. Their version is light and lovely, but I could live without the caramel drizzle. This is certainly a place a to visit more than once, as Sicilian style Italian isn't extremely common and everything was solid.
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Rick R.

Yelp
I can't believe I've never reviewed this restaurant! I've dined here at least half a dozen times over the years, and I've always had a great experience! Some favorites include their Bolognese, risotto specials and a pepperoni and Boursin cheese pizza which has since had the Bourin replaced with goat cheese. This past weekend I went in for dinner before a show, and we ordered the Breaded Eggplant appetizer, Gnocchi with Gorgonzola cream sauce, and the Verde pasta dish with penne pasta, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, onion, and spicy olive oil, with options to add chicken or Italian sausage crumbles, and I added the sausage. All three dishes were excellent. The Verde is a nice lighter option, even with the sausage added, and the gnocchi is a much richer dish, if you're looking for more of a comforting hug for dinner. Sala is one of the best places in town for Italian food, and it should be on your radar.
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Michelle E.

Yelp
I've been to dinner at Sala multiple times and the food has always been amazing! Keep reading to find out why I only gave two stars for the overall experience... My favorite appetizer on the menu is the garlic bread with cheese and marinara- it's absolutely amazing! Cheesy, garlicky, soft, flavorful, and I love dipping it into their marinara sauce. I think their sauce has a great balance between sweet and savory! My favorite entree is the Sugo. It tastes very traditional, it's full of flavor, I enjoy the angel hair pasta, and this dish never makes me feel overly stuffed after I clear my plate. To end the evening, I order the Tiramisu. It's moist and has a strong espresso flavor, which I enjoy. The reason I gave two stars on this review is because while the food is always amazing, the service is usually terrible. Last night, it felt like our waitress ignored us most of the evening and at one point we wondered if she had gone home because she disappeared for quite awhile. It was some of the worst service I've ever experienced at a restaurant. Also, to note: I highly suggest having a reservation and to give yourself time to find parking. It's street parking near UWM and it can be tough to find a parking spot nearby, so you may be walking a couple of blocks to the restaurant.
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Lori G.

Yelp
I really wanted to like this place. The restaurant is on a quiet side street with what appears to be a very pretty patio once it's open. When you walk in, there's a quaint bar and then two adjacent dining rooms. The walls are covered with Pictures which make the restaurant seem like a very old-school Italian vibe. We ordered a glass of wine, a dirty martini and two paper airplanes. The drinks were good not great. I would've preferred that the paper airplane be chilled and not room temperature. The food was where it was really a miss. On the upside the bread which comes out with Oil and butter was delicious. We also ordered an order of cheesy garlic bread, which came with a beautiful tomato marinara for dipping. This was where the positivity stopped. The eggplant started out being very good, but there were two pieces where the eggplant was rubbery and inedible. The Arrabiata pasta with sausage was OK. The the ravioli had a very odd chicken soup tasting sauce with many many chopped carrots. The service was not existent and really disappointing how long our food took with very little attentiveness by our wait staff. All in all I would skip Sala.
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Tarik B.

Yelp
Here is what didn't go well I forgot to clip photos... rookie move... everything else was awesome from the service, the food, the variety on the menu. Loved the old school Italian family feel to the place as well their pasta sauces were all packed with fresh flavors and the cappuccino to cap off the meal... 10/10 this meal hits hard
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Julie G.

Yelp
What a classic find in a neighborhood in Milwaukee! My mom and I went to Sala tonight. We loved the nice, cozy atmosphere and saw several dates in the dining room. All our food was top notch and delicious. We had the eggplant appetizer-yum. Also the caesar salad, the chicken parmesan, and a margarita pizza. We had the chianti wine and even enjoyed a lemon tart. I would order the sam, identical meal again on another visit, because it was all so delicious. And our waitress, Barb, was prompt and knowledgeable in all our inquiries about the restaurant and the food. Love this place. We will be back!
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Ember D.

Yelp
Sala is a small restaurant with great ambiance and service. Our lovely waitress did an amazing job. The place was very clean/well kept. FOOD: -Bread App: Unlimited, and very delicious comes with butter and oil. 10/10 -Caesar Salad: comes on a very small plate so your lettuce and toppings are falling off while eating. Overall was okay but expected more from the homemade dressing. 5/10 -Soup: I had the daily special, literally no clue what it's called was broth based and very yummy. 10/10 -2 members of the group got pasta, the special and the gnocchi and didn't care for it. Quite honestly had no flavor. Great for kids I suppose. But for a plate over $24 I expect more. -Spaghetti: was the best dish they have. not much to screw up on it. Overall for the prices I would expect more. There aren't any gluten free or dairy free options. I wouldn't come back due to the prices, taste, accommodations, and also due to their computer system.

Eric N.

Yelp
Always a great meal, incredible atmosphere. Casual, great staff, nice bar. Teresa does a great job.
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Kristen K.

Yelp
This restaurant is truly a hidden gem. We came here after we made reservation. You can sit outside or inside but we sat outside on their cute patio. I ordered their bruschetta to start with a glass of Prosecco. Sad they won't had one option for Prosecco even though there were multiple on the menu. They were out of other ones which is why the 4/5 star review. I ordered a caesar salad for a starter. It was huge for a side salad. I ordered chicken Marsala white had huge mushrooms with it and a good portion of chicken. My husband said his gnocchi was 10/10. My friend loved her chicken Alfredo. We didn't get any dessert because we were all full. Total bill for 4 people with everyone who each had two drinks was $233.
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Daniela K.

Yelp
We had a 10/10 dinner at SALA Modern-Sicilian last night. I love the intimate dining space and the warm vibes. We started off with some cocktails that were wonderful....I ordered two of the cucumber/ginger drinks because they were THAT good and owner was nice enough to give me the recipe when I asked. For food we had: -Sicilian New Years soup (with lentils) -tomato and goat cheese with crostini -side salads with housemade Italian vinaigrette and tableside parmigiano reggiano shaving -rack of lamb (THIS WAS SO FREAKING Amazing....top 3 of my life) served w angel hair pasta and a walnut pesto -linguine w shrimp, tomato, in a white wine butter sauce (generous with the big juicy shrimp) -gorgeous cappuccino made w Valentine coffee beans -lemon tart that was so perfectly flaky and a great balance of sweet and tart -tiramisu Service was and they are still accepting reservations for NYE if anyone is looking! -- at SALA Modern-Sicilian.
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Prasanta A.

Yelp
I met a friend here for dinner one weekday evening recently. This was a charming little dinner spot. It looked like a lovely place to eat outdoors, weather permitting (it was too rainy the day I was there). We had a little table tucked in a corner, and the place really filled up. Nice, cozy ambience. I ordered the Salmon entree with a salad. The salad ingredients were fresh, but the balsamic dressing was too sour for me to finish; I couldn't manage to eat my whole salad. We also bread with olive oil for dipping and butter on the side. The salmon dish was average. I think I had my expectations a little high based on the menu and reading about the handmade sauces seasoned with fresh herbs. But this is a charming little place and I'd love to try it again and order something else off the menu, perhaps the pizza or another entree to truly get a sense of the Italian cooking heritage.

Josie V.

Yelp
Really enjoyed the atmosphere, however the food and service were a bit lacking. Our server was friendly, but not attentive. It's a very small place and when we needed her, we couldn't find her. The food was hit or miss. First, it took super long - we had a large group, so maybe not the best place for large groups? Some meals were great - the salmon w/ risotto and chicken masala. Others were mediocre to bad. We had pizzas that were totally burned on the bottom - to their credit they remade them and removed them from the bill. I really appreciated that. I would give this place another try as a couple, rather than a large group.

Tami B.

Yelp
Amazing food and service! We loved Barb and the owner Teresa. Sugo and Chicken Parmi is delicious. Manga Manga!
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Melissa B.

Yelp
Although a bit pricey, Sala offers good food and great service. A small bar offers a nice spot to have a drink and wait for your table, and two inside dining areas (as well as an outdoor patio for the warmer months) offer plenty of seating options. The spinach salad was delicious, loaded with fresh strawberries. However, I would have loved a little more goat cheese. My husband ordered the split pea and ham soup, which was a bit thick in consistency yet very good. There was plenty of ham and fresh vegetables, making this hearty side a nice dish on its own. We went on a Thursday night with friends when Sala was also having their trivia night. Although we did not participate, the questions were great, and it sounded like a lot of fun!
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Molly D.

Yelp
I'm so bummed I couldn't capture pictures of the food here- but take my word for it that Sala is a top Italian spot in Milwaukee! We had the eggplant Parmesan and carfoci to start and both were to die for! The carfoci was so tender and the artichokes were crispy on the outside with the best lemon sauce- almost like a piccata. Best menu item and a must when you try it! Our server told us their red sauce is a family receptive made with kalmata and black olives so I had to try their arribiatta pasta. It had the perfect kick and the sauce had a tangy bite that was mouth watering. It had spicy Italian sausage too that was perfectly cooked and not over powering the Al dente pasta. Can't wait to go back to this spot and our server Elizabeth was so sweet and very attentive!

Marilyn C.

Yelp
Darling restaurant on the East side. Food & service was excellent. Small & intimate. Only drawback is lack of parking.
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Adam W.

Yelp
7/10 pizza review. The service was very good. I asked for a tequila drink and got this tequila with cucumber and jalapeño tied up with tonic! Muah! Espresso martini was on another level. My wife got the bolognese and it came out cold. Still delicious but we expected it to be a lot warmer. Definitely an east side crowd there, very diverse. We'll be back that's fo sho
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Liam M.

Yelp
The service was absolutely phenomenal. The Baked Goat Cheese appetizer was good but I felt it was heavy handed with the sauce and light on the cheese. As for entrees I had the Penne Bolognese, the sauce was incredibly sweet. My wife had the meatballs and also found the fish to be in the sweet side. Overall the atmosphere and service were wonderful but the food was all too sweet.

Margaret C.

Yelp
The food was amazing especially the bolognese. The ambiance is nice because the mostly Italian artwork sets off the red walls.
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Lora F.

Yelp
We came here to celebrate our son's graduation from college and it did not disappoint. We were a party of six and after a short wait at the bar we were seated at a lovely table at the side of the restaurant. I had been concerned that we would feel cramped since Sala is not a very large restaurant but we had plenty of room. We started with bruschetta, the baked goat cheese, and a couple salads. The goat cheese in particular was a big hit with the table. From there we all ordered various pasta dishes. The only disappointment were the seafood dishes. Two of our group had the Di Mare pasta and both received just three shrimp and a single scallop. When a dish is sold as a seafood entree, I expect there to be more seafood in it. The seafood was perfectly cooked, there just wasn't much of it. One of our group had the short rib special and raved about it. Overall, it was a great meal with terrific service. We were there longer than the normal turn time and never felt we were being rushed to finish and leave. I can't wait to go back!
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Tamar S.

Yelp
Sala has the perfect cozy ambience with terrific food to spend time with friends and family! Never had a bad meal or a bad time.
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Hannah W.

Yelp
Really nothing to write home about. Pretty non-memorable dinner. The pastas were just ok, the vibe was a little old school, the prices were a bit higher than I'd like for what I got. The plates of pasta were certainly edible, it's just that no one at our table was really enjoying their food enough to make an impact or want to come back. I wish I could give more specific feedback, but the sauces were not flavorful enough neither the pasta Al dente enough. The staff, however, is very nice. They gave my boyfriend a birthday card because we were celebrating his birthday. That is something from that night that I do remember!
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Billie C.

Yelp
This casual, yet cozy restaurant is perfect for a great Italian meal. We had the eggplant Parmesan appetizers and the goat cheese. Both were tasty! The chicken Parmesan and the Verde pasta (this one had good flavor and just a bit of a kick that was enjoyable) were both delicious as well. The service was great and the volume was at a comfortable level for our group too.
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Dan S.

Yelp
Coming back to my hometown makes me miss my friends and my favorite restaurants. Went to Sala tonight and forgot how amazing it was. Started with the eggplant appetizer with fresh mozzarella cheese and their homemade sauce. It was so good I had them use the same sauce on my dinner of Da Mare. They had 3 perfectly cooked scallops and and a nice amount of shrimp. This place is definitely a neighborhood gem.

Rachel H.

Yelp
Went for dinner with friends. We had great red wine and very delicious pasta with olives and artichokes. I intended to eat half, take the other half home, instead ate the whole serving, it was so good!!!
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Julianna D.

Yelp
I really enjoyed this cozy Italian restaurant, tucked away on the East side. The ambiance was great, laid back and nice lighting for a conversation for a date. I fact, because of that, I forgot to take photos. The cocktails were delicious. They have some unique ingredients as well that you can taste, so it's not just hype. The eggplant appetizer was delicious. It was seasoned just right and not oily. I have had some bland eggplant appetizers in some restaurants but that was not the case here. I ordered the pasta bolognese and it was not only tasty, but the meat was ground just right and blended well. I had a great time but due to the great conversation and ambiance I slacked on taking photos, except the main course.
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Chadrick J.

Yelp
Sala is exactly what I love about Milwaukee. I've been here over 5 years and I am still pleasantly surprised by the new gems I find hidden around this town. Sala is exactly that, an artsy quiet littler dinner establishment that resides in an Eastside neighborhood by the college. Meet a restaurant that specializes and slangs out pizza pie, which I have yet to try, but also has a talented hand in crafting specialty Italian cuisine with a touch second to none. They also promote and have a ton of art, which I assume revolves in the place. Upon entry, I was just taken back by the quaint ambiance yet classy style this place has. What we ordered were two dishes and a bottle of wine, which were perfect. I had the fish special (Can't remember the fish to save my life) on a bed of rich creamy polenta. My wife had the Sugo, which is a house specialty. She added the artichoke hearts and Kalamata olives and it was outstanding! I did think mine was a bit pricey, but this is a one of a kind unique restaurant and you have to give it to them. Getting produce and fish that fresh, it's not the easiest task and when doing so it had better be the truth. Well it was! All the textures layers and flavors were there. We will be back to try this joint again as I've been told the pie is solid and I need another pizza spot in my life especially one that is authentic!
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Michael M.

Yelp
Found Sala to be a very good Italian restaurant with a big focus on pasta. Italian food is more than pasta, but many Americanized Italian places make pasta the star. With that being said, I had an outstanding pork chop special that came with mushrooms and potatoes and an incredible creamy sauce - so Sala can definitely do more than pasta. Still in the realm of pasta, though, Amy had the beef ravioli special. That was just as good as my pork. It came with the same sauce used on their breaded eggplant appetizer - which we also had. In both cases, the sauce was really the star of the show - really fresh and delicious. I think just about anything would be good with that sauce on it, but the eggplant still managed to hold its own. It would be hard to go back to Sala without ordering that fantastic eggplant dish again! Service and drinks were outstanding as well. Salads were fresh and tasty. The only less than stellar item we had was dessert. We had the tiramisu and, while it was just fine, the cake was oversoaked so that it became just a little mushy. In all, we'll be back to Sala I'm sure.

David U.

Yelp
Very nice dinner out with service that was well-paced, delivered great cocktails, perfectly cooked pasta and an overall comfortable and cozy atmosphere. The restaurant owner was on-site and clearly invested in creating a quality experience. Thank you!
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Mary T.

Yelp
After spending a frigid day on our bikes covering the city, we were all craving some carbs. Sala could accommodate our party and had options satisfying the vegetarian, pescatarian, and meat eaters. We were ravenous and started out with the artichoke dip and breaded eggplant. Our server kindly provided extra bread for the dip. Both dishes were good, I preferred the dip over the two. Personally, I thought our extra bread (plain Italian bread) paired better than the crostini. For mains we got: meatballs, lasagna, sugo with olives & artichokes, and asparagus penne. Entrees came with a choice of soup or salad. I ordered the salad with the asparagus penne. The salad came with house made Italian vinaigrette. The portions were very generous and everyone seemed happy with their meals. The only knock I had about my meal was that it was supposed to be made with a soft olive oil and there really wasn't much heat to the dish. Overall, it's a solid restaurant tucked into a residential area. It's a great little find and suitable for family dinners.
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Corey C.

Yelp
I wanted to be impressed with Sala, but they just fell short in some areas. The service was exceedingly slow, which I account to the dining room being understaffed (Not to the apathy of the wait staff). It took 15-20 minutes to get our order taken. The appetizer took another 15 min to arrive and came only minutes before the entree. So the back house pacing was off. The bread was cold, and the butter was rock hard. The side salads with the entrees were completely undressed and there was no vinegar or oil on the tables to do it ourselves. The artichoke dip was perfect and delicious (5 star). But the caprese panini and meatball spaghetti were just good (4 star). Maybe they just had a bad day. I'll give them another try and update my review if things are different.

Nicholas L.

Yelp
a group of my friends and I came to try sala all of us 100% recommend sala food 10/10 very flavorful price is great sala is my #1 go to for Milwaukee

Savannah S.

Yelp
Amazing food & service, will definitely be bringing friends & family here :) Parmesan chicken was crispy & juicy, paired super well with the marinara sauce & Angel hair pasta All the vegetables were fresh & delicious
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Tasty T.

Yelp
Very average. Service is not up to par, long wait for drinks, guesswork about who ordered what, and not clearing the dirty glassware and dishes. Loong wait for check and long wait to pay, this was in mostly empty restaurant after 930 pm where staff was mostly interested in breaking down the dining room. Food is ok not very complex, lots of angel hair pasta. wouldn't recommend.

Michael A.

Yelp
Absolutely one of the worst restaurants in terms of service. Drinks were weak. Service was unbelievably slow and unfriendly. Gnocchi was undercooked. And it was 9$ for 1 disappointing side meatball. If looking for a nice Italian meal, look elsewhere. Never again
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Chloe C.

Yelp
We ordered delivery from Sala for the first time since the pandemic. Though I greatly missed the ambiance of their cozy little space, the food held up just as I remembered and was truly delightful! We called the restaurant for the delivery and it was to us quite quickly! If you're looking to support a local and wonderful restaurant for dinner, look no further!
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Mary W.

Yelp
We have been coming to Sala since it opened 20 years ago. This restaurant just celebrated its 20th anniversary which is an extremely huge feat! Despite everything that's gone on with this family~~life and losses, the recent pandemic ~~20 years is heroic for a restaurant! This past Saturday 4.30.22 we were there with a packed house family friends a lot of love was in the restaurant. Our server Wilber was fantastic! knocked it out of the park. We walked to the restaurant enjoyed wonderful cocktails Negronis, a martini. We ordered the artichoke special and shared the fantastic always fresh arugula salad. We ordered Arrabiata, meatball entrée, Sugo D'menfi, and gluten free meatball dish. The heart and soul of this restaurant is the family that owns it ~~Teresa B has kept this place top-notch including their family made lemon cello and the in-house made flourless chocolate cake ~incredible. If I am incorrect that the flowerless chocolate cake is made in house please someone correct this! The 4 stars is a 4.75 most of the time restaurant. I had a miss Saturday night which was the special white fish stew which was quite fishy. I was able to order another dish and went home very happy :-) thank you team Sala as always Mary & Ned W.
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Warren D.

Yelp
I was looking forward to visiting Sala as I hadn't been in a few years, through no fault of the restaurant. Georgia was MIA for most of the meal, though she was pleasant when she surfaced from wherever she was hiding. I can understand slower service when a restaurant is hopping, but 3-4 tables in the entire restaurant on a Wednesday night? There were a number of specials on their chalkboard but she didn't tell me about them so I'll never know how good they might have been. The Chicken Paremsan was very good; flavorful and when combined with the house salad, was a great value for the price. There is enough for lunch the following day, which I can appreciate. The aforementioned salad was average, but got the job done. A solid meal was ultimately marred with incredibly poor, slow service.
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Dewayne E.

Yelp
Now, how does one go about to describe this place. It's a nice little restaurant in the neighborhood, but boy does the food knock you outta your seat. The service is also fantastic. My last few visits was carryout due to COVID-19, but still, the first time I ordered, I used a 3rd party, (won't do that again during this time period), but the 2nd time (5/3/2020) I called the restaurant directly, and was greeted by a very personable person on the other end. She took my order and thanked me for ordering, the food was amazing. I had one of the specials; Pork Shank braised in a tomato sauce, over a bed of linguine. SOOO GOOOD!! 3rd time (5/13/2020) we were walking past the restaurant and we wanted to order the same dish as last time, but noticed it wasn't on the menu, asked one of the servers that came out to greet us and took our order, and he informed us that it was a special they had for that day :(. It wasn't a deal breaker, because they have other dishes that are just as delicious. Ended up ordering one of the specials; Bolognese- A 5 Meat Penne Bolognese - made with Veal, Beef, Pork, Pancetta, and Prosciutto. I had linguine instead of penne. Oh and need I say.. SOOO GOOOD!! So glad you guys are open, stay safe.
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Michael J.

Yelp
I won't go back. They messed up my order and told me I had ordered something different. I had to show them what I paid for to prove it... lol Sadly, Olive Garden is better. The noodles are better off the shelf at Whole Foods, and was cold. I was really hoping for a better experience.
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Haley L.

Yelp
I have lived in Milwaukee for 20 years, just a few blocks away from Sala, yet I have never eaten there until last night. Now that I've been, I finally understand why everyone loves it. Let me explain. First off I love the variety of art on the walls, each person around the table had a different combination of artwork to admire. Secondly, the waitstaff was great. My mom and brother were in a bit of a rush to get to a concert, and our waitress informed the chefs about that as to make sure we got our food with enough time to enjoy it. Speaking of which... Thirdly, the food was delicious and was presented beautifully. My grandma doesn't usually prefer red sauce to white sauce but raved over the tomato cream sauce on her pasta. The tastiest thing I had was probably the eggplant ricotta appetizer. It was flavorful and not too heavy at all. Can't wait to come back!

Saint R.

Yelp
Went here a couple months ago and I've been itching to go back. A bit on the pricier side but the service and food are well worth it. I had the gnocci and was a bit nervous about it being dry but had no such issue! Good portion size and the food was delicious, they also had a decent wine selection.

C G.

Yelp
The pizza has the most amazing crust. Had the Angelina pizza with spinach, Gorgonzola, prosciutto, walnuts and olive oil. And Papa Tony's with pepperoni and Boursin. Have had appetizers in the past and other dishes that are also very good. Highly recommend. He sat outside with our dog and had friendly service
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Laura G.

Yelp
Drove up from Chicago for a weekend getaway and had dinner here. Huge portions and the most amazing pasta. It might be the best bolagnese sauce I've ever had. The staff are so friendly and really seem to love where they work. I'd come here again and again.
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Ryann S.

Yelp
SALA pulls out all the stops! A family-run restaurant, food cooked by native Sicilians, walls decorated with art by family members, and a cozy home feel. Could not recommend more!

Jessica L.

Yelp
We had my Grandmas's 85th Birthday dinner at Sala! It was a great atmosphere and delicious food! We started with apps and the breaded eggplant is amazing! The artichoke was also delicious! Highly recommend both. We were a big group and Molly our server was attentive and great at getting us anything we needed! For dinner, I had the shrimp scampi and the flavor was sooo yummy- highly recommend! We all enjoyed our dinner and ended up cheersing with lemoncello to end the night!
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T P.

Yelp
I'm a neighbor who has witnessed the wonderful growth of this lovely and appreciated restaurant since I moved here 20 yrs ago. Nothing short of genuine care for all they serve. My husband and I frequently dine in Tuesday nights for the meatball special (past couple visits was a tad different- courser meat) but more recently tried their pizza with a wonderful glass of montepulciano red and WOW! Delicious!!! Crispy crust and flavorful sauce. I was Truly pleasantly surprised. All n all it's a neighborhood treasure.
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Steve G.

Yelp
I think I've just found my new favorite Italian restaurant in Milwaukee! The pasta is perfectly chewy, the sauces are sweet and flavorful and every leaf of lettuce in the salad crunches with freshness. I'm still smacking my lips thinking of the wonderful bowl of spaghetti I had. The service is friendly and unpretentious, and the atmosphere is perfect. A dining room in quiet earth tones and big picture windows with views of a classic old tree-lined neighborhood. I had the sugo sauce with angel hair. The sauce was just the right balance of bright tomatoes, sweet basil and garlic without one flavor overpowering the others. The bread is soft and warm. The salads bright and crisp. This little Italian boy left with a full, happy belly! The menu tends toward traditional: Pastas with sauce, meatballs and seafood. But there are also a few interesting blends as well as a "risotto of the day".

Roy L.

Yelp
Delicious food, drinks, and service. Warm atmosphere and friendly staff. Highly recommend Try the butternut ravioli - it's unbelievable.