Cafe Hollander

The food was really fine. The copious portion of jambalaya was certainly a European rendition of New Orleans and that’s fun! There was plenty of duck confit instead of chicken, a wonderful spicy serious frankfurter as andouille, perfectly cooked ~60 ct. shrimp, over a little jasmine rice and topped with a Creole-​inspired sauce Espagnol. I regret eating at the bar, though. The ordering was rushed, the refills slow despite not many patrons, and no receipt was presented. Afterwards I asked for it and saw that the server had claimed to have tendered less cash than I paid. My change was correct, but officially my tip was reported as much less than I left so either the cash drawer was going to be over or ???

I’ve only been here twice, and this place rocked. Great open area, nice service, decent food. Will definitely go back when i am in the area.

Ugh, lunch today was no bueno.
FWIW, I’ve been for breakfast twice and those were decent, I got the eggs Benedict and something else that I don’t remember. The point is, they were good enough and certainly not terrible, which is why the sad, soggy, oily mess of a not-​a-​single tomato, lettuce, onion or garnish café hamburger with salty, cold fries that I had for lunch today prompted this review. Far be it from me to turn my nose up at french fries but it had to be done.

Love this place. I’m not a big beer drinker, but if you love beer this is the place to visit. They have an incredible large selection.
I really love their Belgian table bread. It’s a very soft pull-​apart bread that is covered on parmesan cheese and served with a side of chive butter. Una delicia mua!
Also I’m a big fan of the truffle chive hanger steak. I always replace the gratin potatoes for Brussels because I don’t like the potatoes. I also don’t like their the mashed potatoes because it’s very intense. It has cheese, other people might like it. I’m just not crazy about it.
This is the first place that I don’t have problems ordering what I want bc I know exactly what I like.
Their risotto is also good. However I didn’t like the wild mushroom risotto bc it’s really heavy on the mushrooms. I used to enjoy mushrooms, now I can’t eat them anymore.
Their Mac and cheese is noms!
So their brunch menu is also really good. I love the brewcity benedict. So good!!! Specially the biscuits, but what I enjoyed the most was the blackberry turkey sandwich. It’s pretty pretty good.
But the main reason why I love this place is the bikes! I am a bicycle fan, so when I go there I feel like in a bike museum. Give this place a try, you won’t be disappointed!

All in all it’s neat place with a cool bar and good food and drinks. Have been a few times (brunch and late lunch.) This last time we came around 330 on a Saturday (not busy) and had our little guy who was asleep in the stroller.
Knowing we wouldn’t be able to get him out, we asked to be seated in a back corner out of the way. Now I’m a former host & server and recognize sometimes guests can’t be accommodated but when the place is relatively empty and there’s a sleeping baby. I expected a little more flexibility.
Instead we received a mini-​lecture from the host on why we couldn’t be seated in the corner & were asked 3 times to take him out and use a highchair. She even stood and waited by where she wanted us to park the stroller. I told her he would be staying in until he wakes up. She asked one last time when we reached our table (more told us «move the stroller.») It was a bit much and totally unnecessary. Yes he woke up eventually and I moved the stroller. Honestly if we weren’t so hungry we would have left, it was so awkward.
That said, food and drinks are good, but keep your babies away.

Another fantastic Madison choice. They boast a HUGE selection of bottled and tap beers and also have a great cocktail list. One of my favorite things about the place is the upstairs and how the whole place is basically made out of windows. I went in the winter, but really want to check this out in the summer. They have cool bikes hanging from the walls and ceilings.

Go there for the frites aka fries! The fries were really good! I had mine with the garlic aioli and chipotle aioli. I recommend both «sauces». The frites came seasoned and didn’t need anything.
We ordered 2 orders of cheese curds –thank god because they are skimpy on the servings. Calamari, frites, and a naked burger, spiced pear sangria and a mulled berry cocktail. I don’t think the food choices were that great. Definitely not the place to take a picky eater but they are accommodating.
The calamari was light and crispy but for almost $ 12 I would like more calamari and less peppers. The sauce it came with didn’t pair well in my opinion. I ended up dipping it in my chipotle aioli. The cheese curds were good, my son didn’t care for the sauce to dip it in but I didn’t mind it. My sangria was good.
The service was mediocre. We didn’t have a long wait but had so many different people bring us our items I don’t know who our tip went to. We dined on the upper patio/​balcony and they couldn’t use the umbrellas because of the wind but left the umbrellas in the middle of our table so we couldn’t see each other! Also when we got our burger with fries they only gave us about 8 – 10 fries-​we had to ask for another side of fries which they gave us on the house.
I’ll be back again because the atmosphere is nice but they really should offer drink and appetizer specials. The prices and portions don’t match!

Café Hollander has a very beautiful facility and the food is excellent. The Bloody Mary’s are dec. Service is friendly enough and competent which is more important.
What amazes me every time I go there is the quality of their food. I’ve had quite a few different menu items at this point and everything tastes amazing. I was literally eating a pretzel breakfast sandwich last week and thought to myself «what a great time to be alive.» Just because the food tasted so good. Very pleased with Café Hollander and wish them continued success. Now that summer has arrived I look to ha e some great nights out eating and dining on their outdoor patios.

Impressive space and contemporary menu makes Café Hollander a good call for a nice lunch or date night. It’s definitely worth stopping in to experience the space and it’s a sure sign that Hilldale is on the rise.
I only had the pleasure to stop by for a work lunch so I’m sure the daytime experience is uniquely different than spending an evening in the cavernous, open concept, two-​story space that looks like a Bavarian pub had a love child with a hipster speakeasy.
The salads and bruschetta were nicely dressed, great for a light lunch, the staff is friendly and don’t hover, the ambiance was energetic but not frenetic. Again, this was at 12:45 in the afternoon so who knows how sound travels here on a Saturday night.
I’d come back just to compare and contrast the ambiance.

Want to be waited on by a staff of people who are noticeably hungover, but still pumping out good food? Also, need to start your summer base tan? Café Hollander! The place stacks café dwellers on top of each other and sitting at the top gives you a great view of the Hilldale Target… if you know what I mean.
Beware of wicker chair legs!

Café Hollander is the place to be for a summer meal. The garage-​style doors and light acoustic music made for a breezy, open-​air atmosphere. Even in the midst of Saturday brunch frenzy, we were seated by their open doors without a wait. The food took around 20 minutes to come out, which was too long for my impatience. That being said, the place was super packed and our drinks came out right away.
I ordered the Milwaukeean Bloody Mary and the Quiche Lorraine-​ish. The bloody had a fat piece of bacon, a curd, and the typical pickle/​olive/​lemon toppings. One of my fav bloodies in town! The Quiche did not disappoint either. The composition of egg, onion, applewood smoked bacon, Swiss chard and Gruyère topped with hollandaise was fluffy, creamy, and filling. The light, crispy crust really made the dish. I’ll definitely be back for brunch!

My boyfriend and I stopped into Café Hollander on a Monday night around 9 PM after catching a sneak preview at Sundance. For my birthday I’d been gifted a City Tin so I had a $ 10 off coupon burning a hole in my purse and had never been to CH so it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
We were seated quickly since there wasn’t much of a crowd except for a handful of people watching the NCAA championship basketball game at the bar. The server took our drink order then was gone for… awhile. He came back with our drinks and we ordered the table bread (I had not eaten lunch or dinner because I’m terrible at life so I was super hungry) and put our entrée orders in at the same time.
The bread came out pretty quickly. Described as «pull-​apart fresh-​baked buns» I had expected something more along the lines of monkey bread, but it’s just a cluster of rolls that they don’t separate before serving. The tops were just shy of being burned and the rolls were on the dry side overall. I did like the chive butter and it was nicely presented, but I don’t think I’ll need to order them again.
Our entrees came out in a reasonable time. My boyfriend got the Happy Cow Burger cooked medium and I got the Bacon Avocado Chicken wrap. Both of us got frites.
His burger was bright red in the middle, just a tad more cooked through than rare. He is not picky, so he ate it, but it was nowhere near what he ordered in terms of doneness.
My sandwich, on the other hand, was one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in awhile. Everything was fresh, the chicken and veggies were good quality, the seasoning and sauces all worked together — I loved it. It’s not a fancy sandwich, or a blow you away with creativity sandwich, but it’s the best execution of this general idea I’ve come across in years. I was less impressed with the frites — they were crunchy but didn’t have a lot of flavor. I rarely put anything on my fries, but I found myself wishing I’d ordered a dipping sauce to liven them up.
By the time we’d finished, it’d be awhile since our server had checked on us. After five minutes of sitting there with us looking around trying to spot him, he finally came by and asked if we wanted boxes. We did, and he left. And we waited. He came back with boxes and offered a cup to take home the butter for the leftover rolls. He left. We waited. He came back and asked if we wanted him to run the check and get a cover for the butter cup. He left. We waited. And waited. And waited. He finally came back and we were able to sign, box up, and leave. All in all, it took 15 – 20 minutes from the time he asked if we wanted boxes to leaving.
When I started writing this I had marked my review at four stars — as mentioned, I am in love with that sandwich, and our server was really nice and personable — something that seems to be the opposite of many reviewers’ experience with staff. However, as I’ve reached the end I’ve realized there is a lot to be desired, especially since we were in on a slow night. A couple other things that stuck out — the table across from us sat without being cleared the entire time we were there and had been that way when we sat down, the host seemed slightly perturbed that we wanted a table for food when we came in, and it’s unclear why our server barely checked on and took so long every time he disappeared.
Will I come back? Yes, but I’ll be prepared for it to be a drawn out process and not a quick bite to eat.

This is one of my favorite new spots in Madison, and I’ve been able to visit a few times since their opening this past fall. First, the space itself is so inviting and open. I really enjoy all of the patio space, both on the ground and upper levels.
The food is incredibly tasty, and can be quite messy. The Café Burger will continue to drip grease into your hands as you eat, though I bet it’s why it is so delicious too! I subbed in sweet potato fries and they were also excellent. The extra dipping sauces (ex: Sriracha Ranch) aren’t quite worth the extra $ 0.75/each but nice as an option.
Hollander has a more unique beer list than many restaurants in Madison, and the extensive menu of Bloody Mary’s will be at the top of my agenda on my next visit!

Went here for the first time for an impromptu Easter brunch. Food was GREAT and priced about right — the service was incredibly fast. Getting a bloody mary, cheese curds and entrees happened in times that made me quite happy considering the quality of the menu. Will definitely return! Only had a waffle so far but I’m going to try the vegetarian burger next time!

We were excited about this place opening up as its close to our house and the exterior looked pretty cool– who doesn’t get excited about all of those beers on tap??? We went for breakfast at the end of February and while still pregnant, I ordered a decaf coffee. We also ordered a few breakfast «apps» and entrees too. I think all of the food had arrived before the decaf coffee so that was a bummer. The food was good– we were excited about coming back.
Fast forward to today for easter lunch. We were just looking for something simple, quick, and lively so this was the place. The experience today started with my husbands beer of choice being out of stock. Too funny to have all of those beers and be told that the ONE you select is gone.
Also the food today was very disappointing. I got a grilled cheese that was very soggy, lacked flavor, and was not hot. The fries can’t decide if they are seasoned or not (I wish they weren’t) and the serving of fries was minimal. There was nothing else on the plate and it looked very amateur… a pickle maybe? My husband got a café burger that was supposed to come with onions but didn’t. Our daughters grilled chicken strips came out as fried. Attention server F, write the orders down… this inevitably happens if you don’t. I still will come back and try for a warm weather happy hour but it just dropped stock in my book.

First things first, this place is massive to the point of being impressive. It seems like it goes on forever and it kind of does. So walk around a little. Don’t worry, someone will point you in the right direction if you wonder into the kitchen on accident (this did not happen to me, but I imagine it could).
Second thing, the food is yummy and interesting.
What I tried (for brunch):
Beignets– Every inch for these little donuts is covered in powdered sugar and comes with dipping sauces. Why yes, I would like to dip my deep fried sugar bread into more sugar. How did they know?!
Quinoa Skillet– Very flavorful with a ton of texture. It’s extremely hearty even without any meat.
Stuffed Crepes– This may seem counter to human logic, but I felt they were a little over stuffed and a little too sweet. But, I think that probably is what they are going for, so mission accomplished! A+
This place definitely merits a return visit. I’ll be back to check out the dinner menu.

My fiancé and I had a wonderful experience here for brunch. Even though the place was very busy on a Sunday morning for brunch, we were able to get seats almost immediately and our coffee, appetizers, and entrees came out in perfect timing.
The restaurant itself is quite unique with bicycles hanging from the ceiling of the second floor and a tree growing in the courtyard. It made for a pleasant atmosphere and there was a lot of great natural lighting from the skylights in the courtyard.
As far as the food, my fiancé and I enjoyed everything tremendously. The beignets were served fresh with warm, gooey lemon and chocolate sauces. You could tell the blackberry jam on toast was made from real blackberries. By the time I got to my chicken and waffles, I was so full that I could barely take a bite. However, when I did, I was not disappointed. The sauce they put on top was made perfectly and the cornbread waffle was delicious. I just wish the chicken itself were a bit better as it was a bit chewy and overcooked.
I also liked how they added beers to each of their food items on the menu so you knew which one to pick.
I will definitely be coming here again for brunch or possibly dinner. Hopefully I’ll get to sit on the second floor next time!

This is the third review of Café Hollander I’ve written — after my last «not so great» experience I had brunch with a big group of people, and I’m happy to report that the food (blueberry crepes?! YUM!) and the service were much better. I was thinking perhaps I could bump my review back up to four stars, but after another lackluster experience again this weekend, I feel like Café Hollander is just destined to be a three star restaurant.
Some of the food was good — my daughter got the Cinnamon Streusel French Toast, and it was incredible. I tried the Maker’s Mark Bourbon Butter Waffle, and it was pretty tasty, as well. However, my «over hard» egg on the side was crazy runny, so much so that I couldn’t bring myself to eat it and left the entire thing on my plate. My husband’s eggs were cold and his potatoes, while flavorful, tasted like, in his words, «they had been sitting under a warming light for a long time.» He says, overall, his food tasted good, but none of it was the correct temperature.
The service was just okay. When our server brought the drinks she had forgotten what my husband wanted. Later in the meal, we ordered a second round of chocolate milk for our kids (parents of the year!!), and it took so long to bring them that by the time we had completely finished our meals. We (two parents and three kids who were rapidly losing patience) were all sitting at the table with our coats on ready to go before our server brought the check. I want to emphasize — I’m totally understand how busy they are on the weekend, but there is no reason we should have to sit for 10 – 15 minutes after our table has already been cleared for a check. I want to love Café Hollander so much. All the menu items sound mouth-​watering. The décor is so fun. They have a great beer selection. I keep going back hoping for greatness, and it just hasn’t happened… and I’m losing faith that it ever will.

We finally made it to Café Hollander, one of Madison’s most talked about new restaurants of the year.
The building itself is VERY impressive. Lots of natural light (more about this later), wood, high ceilings, and very cool classic cycling décor throughout (it’s a Belgian café, and cycling/​bike racing is a big part of Belgian culture). It’s a very cool atmosphere.
We sat in a section whose outside wall is like plexiglass garage doors that can open up in the summer (about 38° today, so they were closed) that let a lot of light in, with skylights above. Even on an overcast day, it was really nice and bright, which made the meal even more enjoyable. I’ve always wondered why more places in Madison don’t do this. I’m really looking forward to coming here when the weather gets nice. (On my bike, so I can use their cool outdoor bike hooks!).
Several Belgian beers are on tap, including several seasonal holiday choices. The bottle list is very extensive, so be sure to page through the book if none of the draft beers catch your eye. The food menu also lists beer pairings with most if not all of the entrees. Beers are on the pricey side, but Hollander is definitely not the only establishment to be part of that disturbing trend.
My wife and I both enjoyed our food — I had the steak skillet and she had a wrap. The sirloin tips were perfect, tender and medium to medium well, and the whole skillet was tied together nicely with Hollandaise sauce. She had the turkey & avocado wrap with Hollander potatoes (fries were also offered as an option) and liked it a lot.
Our server was friendly and attentive and our food came out quickly — she even remarked that it was particularly fast (I think we hit the sweet spot between early and later brunch-​goers).
We’ll definitely be back, and the atmosphere at Hollander makes it a place we’ll look forward to bringing guests to visit.

Not a bad place for dinner. Some friends suggested this place for a double date on a Friday night. We were told it was about a 1.5 hour wait, but I’m pretty sure we sat down quicker. The bar kept us company while we waited.
We started out with the Dutch Bitterballen for appetizers. It was definitely a change in our usual calamari choice. My wife really enjoyed the curry ketchup and roasted garlic aioli it came with. She mixed them together too. The curry ketchup can definitely overpower it if you put a tad bit too much.
My wife ordered the Belgian Butter Burger because the bone marrow butter intrigued her. They weren’t joking when they said bone marrow butter. She was confused that it was smack right on top of her burger. She removed some of it and used it on the side instead. She loved it. But she likes stuff like bone marrow.
I ordered the Sconnie Burger. I ordered medium well, but not many places ever get it right. This is one of those places. The burger was decent. The cheese curds skewered on top was average. I actually ate the rest of my wife’s burger at home and liked it better.
We’d come back here again. Probably not a Friday night. Our friends enjoyed their dishes (jambalaya and the seafood sauté). We’ll definitely try the rest of the menu.

Creative spin on bistro fare for lunch and dinner.
Brunch: The quinoa skillet is quite hearty, with roasted tomatoes, tomatoes quinoa, and eggs. Remove the eggs and it’s vegan, and I think it’s hard to find a savory hearty egg-​free breakfast option in Madison (I did enjoy the eggs, though). Frites are very reasonably priced and a wide selection of sauces.
As for dinner, the cheese curds were overdone and/​or the oil was a little old (we ordered later in the night). The sauce with dill was a good addition. I heard that the salads were amazing, and they were right! The rocket salad had a very interesting honey lavender dressing and good quality blue cheese, as well as large portions.
Service is attentive and very well organized, especially in light of the absolutely enormous space. The décor definitely has some inspiration from Colectivo Coffee’s garage door windows, and there are several different areas in the restaurant so you feel a slightly different theme in each area but with a unified theme. Free wifi, ask the host for a password.
A welcome addition to the Hilldale area.

Highlights/​Lowlights
1) Awesome beer and cider selection
2) «Bier Den» perfect for drinks and apps
3) convenient location in the new part of Hilldale mall
4) gluten free beer and cider available
We visited Café Hollander after work on a Friday night in November. We told the server that we were there for drinks and apps. This must be pretty normal at Café Hollander because they have a spot called the «Bier Garden», a causal little lounge area with TVs, for just this purpose! We were seated here right away. I think this is something unique to the MSN location as the Wauwatosa location does not have this area. The restaurant is HUGE and conveniently located in the new part of Hilldale mall.
We were given full drink and food menus in this area and decided on the apple cider wings and cone of frites. The cone of frites comes with two dipping sauces of your choosing. Woo! All of the food menu options come with a recommended beer or cider pairing (cool!). The beer/​cider menu is MASSIVE. There were probably close to ten gluten free beer/​cider options. Our service was fine and quick, not overly friendly but this is a new place so I’m sure everyone is just learning!
If you haven’t been over to the new part of Hilldale Mall yet you should pop over and give Café Hollander a try!