If the restaurant is always busy they're doing something worth trying. Il Goccino is a long standing favorite of good friends in the area, who lured a group of six of us to Madison on a Friday night. The food and service were excellent, in the unassuming but not uninviting ambiance of a neighborhood Italian restaurant. Spaghetti Alla Amatriciana was superb as an appetizer, good flavors and a nice palette wake up. Veal marsala was rich and flavorful. Dessert tray was brought out with all dishes prepared as examples, irresistible. If we're ever in Madison we'll return.

Has become a neighborhood favorite Italian for us. White tablecloth place but very casual. I go there just for the basics/classics - nothing fancy or creative - just want the traditional stuff... and Il Goccino basically does it for me.

The food was good, the staff was kind and helpful, and there was no problem with the decor, but the only problem I have is that it is a bit too pricy for the quality being served. Almost everything should have ~$5 knocked off but it was good so I can't really complain too much.

This is a great place to get homemade Italian. We've been here a few times and the food and service can't be beat! I had seafood&pasta dish, my husband had the grouper - both were excellent. Apps came out quickly and super tasty! Our son goes to Drew University and this is the perfect place for a family meal.

Any restaurant which has survived the last four post pandemic years deserves congratulations. What they do right: warm and gracious hospitality, with very friendly, helpful and attentive servers. The upscale housing development in the surrounding community will reward businesses that can keep up. Eight years into this business, it is evident that the table capacity has been carefully maximized. However, the areas needing improvement are the aesthetics of the interior and the presentation of the food. There is a saying that we eat with our eyes. The interior lighting is a mix of cold and warm fixtures that are quite dim, making it difficult to read the menu, and doesn't allow the food to look its best. The rear left wall of cardboard boxes did nothing to help either. The menu is comprehensive and some of the specials were creative. Their pricing is progressively moving from a $$ level to almost $$$. Our average three course dinner was about $70 per person before tax and tip. They are conservative with salt and spices, which may play well with the masses, but lack excitement to the pleasure of the discerning palate. The special grilled portabello mushrooms with a creamy gorganzola/balsamic sauce was the best tasting appetizer, but was way oversauced. Ask for extra bread to enjoy the extra sauce or it can double as a great tasting dressing for a shared salad. The veal milanese was nicely prepared, but needed some salt and lemon to bring it to life. The Linguettine All' Vongole had to be returned because the pasta wasn't fully cooked. They did return in less than 5 minutes with a properly cooked plate. The chicken rollatini were good but not exceptional. The sole livornese was good, but was conservative in flavor and could have more richness and edge IMO. The consensus of preference on the desserts were in this order: 1. Almond Tirimisu, 2. Limoncello Cake, 3. Zabaione, 4. Rice Pudding, 5. Ricotta/Mascapone Cheesecake. Overall this is a good restaurant that needs an interior facelift, and a slightly higher level of attention to food presentation and liveliness of flavor. If you are an experienced cook, or have a discerning palate, this will not be a place that you will be rushing back to. It's good but not memorable.

Always a pleasure to dine here. The food and service are excellent accompanied by pleasant ambiance! Doug and Cathy Heller

Friendly staff and amazing food. This place never fails to deliver! BYOB and tastey fresh Italian food never fails to deliver! Only four stars because the ambiance is fair but the food and service are five stars!!!

Another EPIC night here! Love the family atmosphere and the red snapper livornese beat the last dish! Sooooooooooo good! The staff make you feel like family! See you next week!

Il Goccino is my family's favorite place for Italian. The staff is so unbelievably friendly and are very attentive. They always have great specials, which we often order. It's great classic italian food- great meat (say my meat eating family members) and amazing pastas for vegetarians like myself! They have have delicious dessert. I recommend getting the tartufo with a bunch of spoons! A great dessert to spilt with the rest of your party.