Authentic Italian Flavors You’ll Love at Safina

When you walk into Safina, you’ll be greeted like a member of the family. Our restaurant is run by Giuseppe (Joe), David and Sal Safina and their father, Giovanni Safina, who grew up in a small Sicilian village and came to the United States at 23. After decades of cooking in Milwaukee, we opened this family‑owned restaurant to share the recipes passed down through generations. We even produce our own olive oil on family land in Trapani, Sicily using Biancolilla, Nocellara and Cerasuola olives. That care and authenticity shine through in every dish.

A culinary love letter to Sicily

In a message to our guests, Chef Giuseppe (Joey) Safina explains that we celebrate our family’s roots by importing Sicilian staples and specialties and combining them with local seasonal bounty. Our goal is to serve modern interpretations of classic recipes in an atmosphere filled with warm, attentive service. When you dine with us, we’re confident you’ll agree that we succeed on every front.

Starters and salads

Start with the Bruschetta, a vegetarian starter that layers root‑vegetable and peperoncino caponata with creamy burrata and shavings of 30‑month aged Parmigiano Reggiano DOP on grilled bread. It’s sprinkled with toasted pine nuts for extra crunch, and every bite will remind you of Nonna’s kitchen.

Our Arrostito – Sicilian roasted cauliflower and broccoli with charred sweet peppers and peperoncino oil—is unexpectedly addictive; the char brings out the sweetness of the vegetables while the pepper oil adds a gentle heat. Another must‑try starter is Giovanni’s original mozzarella, a fried and baked mozzarella dish served with San Marzano tomatoes DOP. The mozzarella arrives hot and gooey with a bright tomato sauce that’s perfect for dipping.

Our Melanzane Fritte features thin eggplant strips lightly fried and paired with marinara and Parmigiano cheese. For seafood lovers, the Calamari Classico offers tender, lightly floured squid with a tangy San Marzano sugo, while the Polpo (gluten‑free) features charred octopus served with roasted fingerling potatoes, pepperoncino crema, toasted walnut vinaigrette and an apple–fennel salad.

Our salads are just as thoughtful. The Rosetta mixes greens, artichoke, Sicilian olives, pepperoncini, red onion, tomato and Parmigiano in a red wine vinaigrette. Pino’s Burrata salad combines arugula with blood orange, navel orange, shaved fennel, dried cherries and toasted pistachios, all tossed in a millefiori balsamic vinaigrette. The citrus and sweet cherry complement the creamy burrata perfectly.

Entrées to remember

For a hearty main course, try Gio’s Stuffed Filet, an indulgent USDA prime center‑cut filet filled with provolone, prosciutto di Parma DOP, caramelized onions and tomato, served over Gio potatoes. The meat is melt‑in‑your‑mouth tender and the filling adds a salty richness. Another standout dish is the Sicilian Grilled Maiale—a 14‑ounce Duroc bone‑in pork chop seared with bell peppers and Gio potatoes.

If you prefer poultry, Momma’s Vesuvio features Sicilian herb‑crusted free‑range chicken breast with roasted fingerling potatoes, peas and onions in a white wine and lemon sauce. There’s also a comforting Chicken Parmesan, where fried chicken cutlets are topped with mozzarella and San Marzano tomato sauce and served over fettuccine. Traditionalists should not miss Giovanni’s original veal—prepared “Parmigiana” or “Cotoletta” style and served with your choice of pasta.

Seafood lovers are in for a treat at Safina. Pesce alla Puttanesca pairs roasted swordfish with a pasta puttanesca full of datterini tomatoes, Castelvetrano and Taggiasca olives, Sicilian capers and anchovies. Shrimp Diavolo combines shrimp in a spicy San Marzano sugo with Calabrian chili oil over bucatini pasta, while Frutta di Mare brings together black linguine, shrimp, calamari and octopus in a seafood broth accented with Calabrian chili. Penne alla Vodka includes shrimp, mushrooms, spinach and sun‑dried tomatoes in a spicy vodka sauce.

For pasta lovers, Fusilloni al Pistachio features guanciale and a creamy pistachio pesto made with Bronte pistachios. The Fettuccine Alfredo coats noodles in a classic three‑cheese sauce and can be ordered with chicken or shrimp. Ragu al Forno, a signature dish, pairs Giovanni’s meat sauce with peas, penne and sharp provolone, served with garlic bread. Finally, Nonna’s Eggplant Parmigiana uses Sicilian herb breadcrumbs and layers of eggplant, San Marzano sugo, fontina and mozzarella over linguine.

Drinks that elevate the experience

Our drink menu complements the food perfectly. There’s a rotating selection of house wines on tap by the glass or carafe, including Tuscan reds, Nero d’Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera d’Alba, and white wines like Venezia‑Giulia Bianco, Prosecco and Pinot Grigio. The wine list continues with bottles of Chianti Classico, Pinot Noir, Moscato d’Asti and other Italian and New-World varietals.

If you enjoy craft cocktails, try the Sicilian Spritz, made with Aperol and Solerno orange liqueur, topped with house Prosecco. The Pomegranate Martini mixes Smirnoff Citrus Vodka, Solerno, raspberry liqueur and lemon juice. You’ll love the Safina Negroni, which uses Malfy Blood Orange Gin, Campari and Cocchi Vermouth di Torino. Other standouts include the Paper Plane with bourbon and amaro, the Limoncello Lemon Drop Martini, the herbaceous Basil Gimlet, and a Black Manhattan with rye whiskey and amaro. Non‑alcoholic options like the Blood Orange Spritz or NA Basil Gimlet allow everyone to join in on the fun.

Beer fans can choose from domestic favorites like New Glarus Spotted Cow or Miller Light, and premium imports such as Menabrea Blonde or Peroni. There are even non‑alcoholic beers for those who prefer a dry option.

Atmosphere rooted in history

Beyond the cuisine, our setting adds to the charm. The restaurant is housed in the historic William A. Webber House, a Greek Revival‑style building constructed in 1858. Located at 785 N. Jefferson Street in downtown Milwaukee near Cathedral Square Park, the space has been lovingly restored by the Safina family for diners to enjoy. Our goal is to make every guest feel like they’re sitting at our family table—and we strive to deliver on that promise.

Discover Authentic Italian Dining in Milwaukee

At Safina, we’re proud to be a family-owned Italian restaurant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offering an elevated dining experience rooted in Sicilian tradition. Whether you’re searching for the perfect anniversary dinner restaurant in Milwaukee, planning Italian private dining for a special occasion, or organizing large group dining or a corporate event venue in Milwaukee, our historic setting and handcrafted cuisine create an unforgettable experience. Reserve your table today and discover why Safina is one of the most celebrated Italian restaurants in downtown Milwaukee.