🍝 Madison | Osteria Papavero – An Italian Gem in “Madtown”!

My first time in Madison, and I’m already blown away by the food scene here. Low-key jealous of UW-Madison students ngl 😂 Everyone calls this place “Madtown”… but honestly, as someone from the middle of actual cornfields, I’m impressed.👌 We drove from Chicago after Black Friday shopping and arrived in Madison at night. A local friend booked us a table at Osteria Papavero – a cozy Italian spot right near the Capitol building. We parked right across from the stunning Capitol – what a view! 🏛️ The restaurant’s exterior is modest, and the space inside is intimate – just a bar and a few tables – but the warm lighting makes it perfect for dates or small gatherings. We ordered three drinks: two cocktails – Aperol Spritz and Golden Hour (both refreshing!) – and a glass of Sangiovese (nice quality for the price).❤️ 🍴 Now let’s talk food! We started with the Salumi board ($15 for small – great value!). It included smoked pork jowl, salami, and beef tongue. The tongue was tender and delicious, the pork jowl tasted just like Chinese marinated pork face (so nostalgic!), and the salami was flavorful without being overly gamey.😍 For mains, we ordered three signature dishes: 1️⃣ CHIGHIALE – Braised wild boar with pappardelle. Rich, savory, and perfectly cooked. The pasta held the sauce beautifully without an overpowering cheese taste. Definitely a win! 2️⃣ CODA DI BUE (Special) – Oxtail stew with potato gnocchi. The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone tender with a deep beef flavor (reminiscent of Chinese red-braised oxtail!). The gnocchi was just okay, but the sauce was incredible. Our server said this is their most popular special – order it if you see it!💕 3️⃣ LAMBATELLO – Hanger steak + sausage with tomato sauce. The steak was decent, the sausage was tasty but a bit salty, and the tomato sauce tied everything together. Overall, we ordered one appetizer and three mains – not a single miss! In fact, this was one of the best Italian meals I’ve had in months. Their style isn’t the heavy, cheese-loaded type – instead, they focus on balancing meats and sauces for a harmonious flavor.😘 Only regret: we were too full for dessert 😭 Menu and wine list attached for reference – no ads, just real opinions! #Wisconsin #UWMadison #MadisonFood #ItalianFood #FoodieReview #OsteriaPapavero #CulinaryTravel