Villa Tap — Restaurant in Madison

I found this place while looking at reviews for the best Fish-Fry's in Madison and it did not disappoint.

I've been here 3 times and each time was as good as the last.

It doesn't look much from the outside. but it's easy to find and easy to park which is great. When you go inside you get a feel that is a classic bar that could be straight out of a movie. Great friendly and lively atmosphere with loads of local sports memorabilia. The staff are great and despite being busy always seem to welcome people in. the fish fry run's from 2 and I'd recommend going early as it fills up fast and by all accounts sell's out every week.

The fish fry itself is different to (and better) than anything ive had before, the batter is super light and closer to a very fine crumb. The fish is always cooked perfectly. Light, crispy, juicy and not oily or heavy at all. The portion sizes are great. The only problem I had is choosing what to have. Our family got one of each and shared, I wish there was a platter to try it all! I really liked the bluegill and the lake perch as they are smaller fillets, but each to their own!

Toilets are older but clean and roomy. You get a discount for using cash rather than card so that is worth doing.

Sat at the bar the other customers have also always been warm and welcoming. There is a good range of beers as well.

I'll make an effort to go back regularly, this really is...

Our first time at Villa Tap was for a Friday fish fry. We arrived at 5:30 to a sea of people standing around a fully seated bar, all apparantly waiting for a table. Nobody looked unhappy about their circumstances so we thought the food must be worth it and chose to get on a wait list.

We found out how the wait list worked (a poster board taped up on a wall that patrons write their name on with the number in their party) and became 12th in line for a table. I got pretty creative with my "name" to have some fun. About an hour & a half later the hostess called it when it was our turn.

Our server was a petite woman with short hair, a baseball cap, a friendly attitude & energy. About 30 min after she took our order & gave us the rolls & coleslaw (my husband & our friend absolutely loved their coleslaw!) we were served our meal.

My husband and I both ordered the Bluegill. (It's not printed on the menu. We heard from another couple waiting for a table that they sometimes have it so I asked a server. She confirmed it was available, priced the same as the Perch & served by weight rather than the # of pieces.) Our friend ordered the perch. SO. WORTH. THE. WAIT. !! This meal was so good. We loved every portion of our meals. We will so definitely...

Villa continues to not disappoint. I just tried the new Taco Tuesday lunch special and it was a perfect portion and delicious. Two tacos, pork or fish, with tortilla chips and coleslaw.

This place has a great size bar and plenty of other seating for when it gets busy.

There are lunch specials daily and all the food is great. Saturday they have a meat raffle. They also have a good beer selection on tap often offering something different you may not have tried.

Friday night fish fry is the busiest time with wait times to sit sometimes up to an hour, and then more to get food. It's 100% worth the wait when you get the fish though. Bun, coleslaw, and potato all come with it so come hungry. You can also choose cod, bluegill, walleye, and shrimp.

The staff is friendly. It may seem like sometimes you're being ignored, but certain days and times they are busy with less time to chat.

They are not open Sundays or until bar time that often.

It's also a great place to go for holiday parties and other events. They have pool, darts, a golf machine, shake of the day, weekly cash drawings, and of course popcorn and plenty of tvs.

This place is an all around a great bar with much to offer. Try the...