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Safina Restaurant  - Safina, Milwaukee, WI

Safina

4.8
4.8
374 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

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2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
It’s been over four years since guests last tasted the Sicilian dishes from longtime Milwaukee restaurant Giovanni’s. But all of that changes with Safina: a new casual Italian concept that comes to the historic building at 785 N. Jefferson St.

Focusing on comforting dishes with roots in Sicily and the southern regions of Italy, Safina's goal is to keep the menu familiar and accessible. The restaurant also features a full bar and second-level seating, complete with wood and marble finishes that highlight the rustic, modern Italian ambiance.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Sicilian, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

What 374 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Wisconsin

    Best Ambiance

  • Wisconsin

    Best Value

  • Wisconsin

    Italian

  • Milwaukee

    Best Overall

  • Milwaukee

    Best Food

  • Milwaukee

    Best Ambiance

  • Milwaukee

    Best Value

  • Milwaukee

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Safina offers a cozy, authentic Sicilian dining experience in Milwaukee. Guests rave about the "best veal dish" and excellent service. The restaurant is praised for its "delicious, fresh" food and "warm, welcoming" atmosphere. Portions are generous, perfect for sharing or leftovers, and the wine selection is diverse.
374 Reviews
  1. Thomas

    E. Tennessee10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our first dining experience here. Outstanding!! Drinks, salad, entrees were fabulous. Salads easily big enough for two. Entrées - the same! Split tiramisu, enough for three or four. May be the best I’ve had. Very busy, get reservations. We’ll be back.

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  2. Kathleen VIP

    Chicago7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Simple yet delicious entrees in a quaint atmosphere. Service was excellent.

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  3. cathy VIP

    Milwaukee170 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been here multiple times. Two people had pasta and one had veal parmigiana. All memorable. Their desserts are all homemade and the cheesecake OUT Of THIS WORLD.

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  4. David

    Milwaukee7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a wonderful place to dine - exceptional food and service! We will return soon.

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  5. Phyllis

    Milwaukee3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was such a pleasure to dine at Safina again. This time we brought our much loved family to the very best Sicilian Restaurant. So good to see you there watching us all savoring your food. I remember you at Giovanni’s coming out of the kitchen to see everyone there enjoying. Bless you and your staff, it could not get any better!

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  6. Tom

    Chicago29 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Safina is located in a very cool building complete with cream city brick. Our server was friendly and professional and explained the specials so well we got the appetizer special. The wine list offers a variety of wines by the glass at different price points. There was a nice selection of Italian and domestic wines. Wine by the bottle was also available. Food is outstanding. After starting with the bruschetta caponata appetizer I went with the veal parmigiana, and my wife got the ragu. This was the best veal dish I've ever had. There was a nice crust on the breading and the veal wasn't drowning in sauce. Portions are large and I took half home. The ragu was also excellent and again, we took quite a bit home. This was truly one of the best nights out I've had in a long time.

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  7. Taylor

    New Orleans3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful! Very nice server and great food. The bruschetta appetizer was amazing

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 21, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was delicious, very home/family..not too fancy. Service was solid. Portions are huge..most plates could serve 2-3 people. But great for leftovers! I would recommend to others and go again.

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  9. Rick VIP

    Milwaukee35 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service from Mariana. Delicious Beef Spedini special, as well as calamari and tiramisu! Restaurant was busy, but my friend and I could still speak and hear each other without shouting.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee1 review

    4.0

    Dined on March 19, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Magnificent experience as always  Food was great. Service was great. Sal was great. 

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FAQs

Safina is rated 4.8 stars by 374 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation


Booked 8 times today
Google Map for Safina

785 N Jefferson St. , Milwaukee, WI 53202

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Milwaukee
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Sicilian, Comfort Food
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
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