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Safina Restaurant  - Safina, Milwaukee, WI

Safina

4.9 (421)
$31 to $50
Italian
785 N Jefferson St. , Milwaukee, WI 53202

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Booked 4 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
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.

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 421 people are saying

Safina reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Wisconsin

    Best Food

  • Wisconsin

    Best Value

  • Wisconsin

    Italian

  • Milwaukee

    Best Overall

  • Milwaukee

    Best Food

  • Milwaukee

    Best Service

  • Milwaukee

    Best Ambiance

  • Milwaukee

    Best Value

  • Milwaukee

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Safina is a highly praised Sicilian restaurant in Milwaukee, celebrated for its "phenomenal" food, attentive service, and cozy atmosphere. Diners love the "pistachio pasta," "veal parmigiana," and "frutta di mare." The staff, including owners Giovanni and Sal, ensure a memorable dining experience, making it a top choice for special occasions and date nights.
421 Reviews
  1. Tara VIP

    Chicago / Illinois3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went here to test it out for a rehearsal dinner. I could not say enough great things. The service was quick and attentive. The food was absolutely fantastic. We will be return diners. This may be my new favorite restaurant.

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  2. Alvaro

    Wisconsin1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best Sicilian food in WI! Everything was perfect, drinks, food, service, timing…. Nothing was average, everything was PHENOMENAL! Worth every penny, I ate all my courses, damn near licked every plate. Fan of this place!

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  3. Brian

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A gift certificate from a friend brought us to this wonderful Italian restaurant. The beauty of the decor was very inviting and every staff member we encountered greeted us with a smile and welcomed us. The service from our waitress was great and attentive. We split an arugula salad that had cherries, blood oranges and pistachios with a big serving of burrata in the center. It was wonderful and fresh. Our entree was the stuffed filet that was spectacular, flavorful and mouthwatering. We then shared a cannoli and a chocolate mousse dessert that had cherries, whip cream and a sprinkle of mint leaves shavings. Both were awesome. We will definitely be back to enjoy this new favorite in the near future. I highly recommend you try Safina!

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  4. Timothy VIP

    Chicago / Illinois4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Safina is a lovely restaurant. The staff was excellent! The food was outstanding! They served Halibut as a special. The dish was done to perfection. Similarly, the chicken Parm tasted wonderfully. The chicken was tender and moist and paired very well with the tomato sauce. We had the egg plant starter as well as the roasted vegetables. The egg plant was light and flavorful. The broccoli, cauliflower and pepper vegetable dish tasted great as well. We would highly recommend Safina as a place to enjoy a romantic dinner, celebrate a special occasion or to enjoy a nice dinner out.

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  5. William VIP

    Wisconsin3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food! The pistachio pasta and the frutta de mare pasta were incredible!!

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  6. shawn VIP

    Wisconsin23 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 12, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food is delicious. Had to wait a long time for some items after food was served, took a little longer, but we enjoyed ourselves.

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  7. buzz VIP

    New York City3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 11, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our experience at Safina was excellent. It has that neighborhood feel. Our meals were excellent. The fish dish was off the charts and my pistachio pasta was the most unique on the menu. My first experience. Turned out we share the same hometown with our server. Thanks.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Wisconsin1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All around fantastic

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  9. Hillary

    Chicago / Illinois1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience. The calamari was exceptional, while the bruschetta was just average. The Chicken Parmesan? Exactly what you’re hoping for. The Rosetta salad — chef’s kiss. Portions were beyond generous. The vibe was perfect for date night and seemed like the go-to spot for adult families (no kids in sight, which I appreciated). Our server, Bryant, was a gem. His attentive service and charming style truly made our night.

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  10. Linda VIP

    Wisconsin4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent as usual! We love their food and atmosphere! From the appetizers, dinner and desserts!

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FAQs

Safina is rated 4.9 stars by 421 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Wisconsin
  4. Milwaukee
  5. Milwaukee

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Booked 4 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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