Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Josh was exceptional! By far one of the best dining experiences you will have in the area! We will definitely be back!

Honestly, I think the atmosphere was worse than the taste of the food. I visited as a walk-in. The neighborhood is cute and fun to look around, but it's small so you can see it easily. The inside of the restaurant is really pretty and eating on the patio is also very cozy. The French toast here is unique and worth trying! (But my friend said it wasn't that good. My friend recommended quiche...! I found the quiche too greasy.)

Be sure to stop by this cute little town Paoli and checkout at the Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro. Very cool building, great service and good food and drinks.

First time eating here and we tried their brunch Saturday morning. Made a reservation for 10am. Started off with bread that came with a chive honey butter. Bread was a crusty french bread and butter was tasty. Ordered the Salmon Crab Cakes that came with a chipotle hollandaise, poached eggs and pico. It was AMAZING. Came with 2 and both were a generous size. Also came with a side salad lightly dressed in a vinaigrette. My friend ordered the biscuits and gravy and she said they were delicious! I cannot wait to come back and try their lunch and dinner menu.

Good, but not perfect food. Amazing service. Also, there was a musical act there that we liked, but it was way too loud in the room with the band.

Brian the general manager and Somalia certainly is an asset and made our experience one to remember. The atmosphere and staff are awesome.

I've eaten a very nice meal here in the past. But today I ordered something I order in many restaurants, the chicken salad, which in most restaurants includes about one chicken breast worth of chicken. But here there was between a teaspoon and a tablespoon worth of chicken; I exaggerate not one bit. I showed the waiter, who had the kitchen prepare a chicken breast for me free of charge. He said, "Here the chicken salad is mostly a vegetable salad." For the price of $16, I highly recommend the Paoli Schoolhouse join other restaurants in serving a meatier chicken salad, a true chicken salad. Thank you.

Would give this place 100 stars if I could. Don’t review restaurants often, but this one deserves it. Hard to get a dining experience where each part of each dish is a star. Brie appetizer was ridiculously good. Steak was perfect. Seabass was cooked to perfection. Baked Alaska for dessert. Service was just as spectacular. Friendly, attentive, professional and just a great night out. Ask for Josh. Best server I’ve had anywhere in a long time. We’ll be back.

What a great meet up with great friends! Paoli is unique and wonderful. Check out the live entertainment. So fun.

The staff was incredible, and so were the guests! Brian and Josh had us laughing so hard, and our bartender set the stage for a fantastic evening.

Incredible food, service, and ambiance. On par with the best in Milwaukee, Madison, and Des Moines. Have to get the lamb ragu.

Awesome service and dinner⭐️ Thank you for the nice mom’s night out! Beautiful sunsets and fun to hear the bands again.

Amazing food and great cocktails. They also have a large wine selection. Awesome location and ambience, we’ll be coming back!

Please take advantage of this wonderful venue! The food was delicious and the service was superb. We will definitely return soon!

We’ve been to many restaurants in the Madison WI area and The Schoolhouse, in Paoli is THE best! The food is absolutely outstanding! We HIGHLY recommend the excellent service, friendly staff eclectic atmosphere and, of course, the food!

I had a bacon cheese burger, it was amazing! Perfectly cooked and juicy. The pomme frietes were super crispy, a fun way to have fries. The lavender creme brulee was so smooth and creamy. The sugar top was perfectly cooked and crunchy

Wonderful service and every dish was so well done!

We asked for a quiet table and it was perfect. Thanks for accommodating my request. A wonderful time was had by all

everything was 5 stars. the flavors were so intricate and very well blended together. We got the prime rib grilled cheese, omelette, pancakes, and huevos rancheros, also got 2 deserts because everything was so good. phenomenal food and experience was perfect. forest was a great server! 100% recommend for everybody you will not be disappointed

What a wonderful brunch with my Aunt!!

Beautiful restaurant and atmosphere, with wonderful food options, and kind, welcoming staff. The selections are diverse and delicious. Everyone ordered something different and thoroughly enjoyed it. The restaurant was accommodating to kids, reservations, and celebrating a 40th birthday. Thank you for the great experience and food.

Food is great and it seems largely (but not solely) French inspired. Staff is friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend.

We arrived on a weekday invited by friends. It was our first visit and it was superb! Our host greeted us in a very friendly manner speaking distinctly and at the level that we elder (80s) people love to hear. Our food choices involved four different entrees and each drew praise. The service continued to be exemplary and our pleasant surroundings assured our host that we would be returning...soon. My wife and I highly recommend eating at this establishment!

Very good meal tonight at the Paoli school house. Food and drink were excellent. Staff was very attentive. All in all great place that we will share with friends and family.

Upscale restaurant in a historic and beautifully renovated old schoolhouse. Locally sourced meats, produce and dairy used in their menus. We ordered from their brunch menu with many choices listed. We had the tres leches french toast which were 2 pieces of brioche french toast topped with fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream, homemade caramel sauce and toasted pecans. A choice of sides is included. Also ordered was a croque madam topped with sunny side up eggs and a side order of home fried potatoes. All choices were delicious and nicely plated. A real gem of a place.

Croque madame was great. The hashes had something missing. (Duck, chorizo or beef)

Top notch service, top notch cocktails, top notch food. This impressed a picky Chicagoan.

Paoli Schoolhouse was very nice for New Years, with a 4 course offering that did not disappoint. I started with bacon wrapped scallops that were prepared perfectly, followed by the smoothest lobster bisque soup. For the main course, the Tomahawk Steak was tender and perfectly grilled as requested (medium), which paired well with a Scaredy Cat Oatmeal Stout. For desert, the molten chocolate cake was decadent, but it paled in comparison to the bite I had of my wife's creme brulee. Service started good, and our waitor was courtous and helpful. When we arrived, we were seated promptly, followed by selecting each of the 4 courses. After the 1st course, however, we felt slightly forgotten, finding ourselves waiting fairly long for each of the following courses. It was a busy night, but I expected better service, especially when considering the cost of a New Year's experience. In all, I think we were there for around 2.5 hours.

We went to Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro on NYE and had the New Year's Eve 4 Courses for $140 Per Person dinner. For my starter, I had the Warm Mushroom Toast. My hubby had the Seared Scallops. My starter was absolutely perfect; loaded with mushrooms, nearly a meal in its own. I had a bite of my husband's scallops that were cooked to perfection. My second course was Lobster Bisque. It was amazingly exquisite. My third course was the Woodfire Bone-In-Ribeye. I ordered it medium rare. It was incredibly inexpressible. The steak merely melted in my mouth. It was quite possibly the most perfect steak I've ever tasted. Finally, my fourth course I had the Honey Bourbon Crème Brûlée. I would love to describe it to you, but the heavenly taste of this dish was absolutely beyond description. The establishment was very charming, inside and out. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately. Our reservations were for 5:15, and it did not seem to be very busy. The small dining area we were in was lit perfectly, but a bit cramped. Our waiter had a great personality and was very helpful with my gluten-free needs. The beverages, as well as the first & second courses were served relatively timely. The main course was served 32 minutes after the second course bowls were taken away. 32 minutes seemed to be quite drastic of a wait, especially when the establishment did not seem busy. The fourth course was timed better than the third, but not timely at all. I definitely enjoyed the meal, but I did not feel it was worth $140, especially with the extensive wait, we were there well over 2 hours.

Outstanding. The food is remarkable, the ambiance is upscale, yet warm. It’s a hidden gem and worth the short drive to Paoli!

The Paoli Schoolhouse is such a cool place! The Avocado Patty Melt was excellent. The Chicken Salad open faced sandwich was ok. It had too many grapes and lacked flavor. The Butternut bacon soup was excellent. They have non-alcohol beer (Guinness) which my husband always gets. Overall a good experience but longer wait time.

The food and staff were exceptional! Tried the beef wellington and let's just say it wasn't on the plate for very long.

Very unique place to eat. Food and service are amazing

Delicious menu options, friendly service, & great value.

food was served with burned buns. was not charged. very loud. Will not return

The food, service and atmosphere are all amazing. Such a beautiful restaurant. They even had live music today but, we were on our way out and missed it. Maybe next time.

This is a gorgeous restaurant with such a calm, beautiful, sophisticated atmosphere. We were seated in the room toward the back where you pass through the servers area, which was fun. We ordered four courses and each one was outstanding. We also had a wine that we hope to be able to purchase locally. It was sooo delicious. All of the young, friendly servers were dressed in black - very classy. The owner (?) was taking orders and charming patrons. The restaurant was doing a great business, so be sure to make a reservation. We have placed this restaurant in our top 5 locally!

Amazing food, great atmosphere, no complaints!

The drive from Madison was nice, and the restaurant is also pretty. Unfortunately, brunch wasn’t all that great. The Dutch Baby and the French Toast were just okay, and the whipped cream had an unusual taste. Based on this experience, we would not come back for brunch. Perhaps the savory options are better.

Went for a Sunday brunch. Most items were beautifully presented and tasty. Some were a little too salty, but others made up for it. Goat cheese with mushroom was just amazing. Service and atmosphere were superb too.

시골 정취를 느끼며 맛있게 먹었다. 인기가 많아서 예약해야한다.

Wonderful place for date night! Food was delicious, service was fantastic, love the school house!

Superb food, attentive service, creative beverages, and a charming atmosphere. (Pictured: Herb crusted Chilean sea bass)

Delicious food and great service. Very reasonable prices for the quality of food. Highly recommend for a dinner date night!

I've eaten lunch, brunch and dinner at Paoli Schoolhouse and every meal is always fabulous. The restaurant itself is so quaint and charming, a beautiful setting for a special occasion meal or just a casual lunch. Their food is outstanding and the service is always excellent. I had the bbq pork sandwich for my most recent lunch there and it was so good, I hope it stays on the menu for awhile. I highly recommend making a reservation for either lunch or dinner and trying this very special restaurant. Paoli is a very cute town and this restaurant is the best part of it!

If you live in the Madison area this gem is worth the drive. Gorgeous atmosphere inside and out with gracious, relaxed service and phenomenal food. Craft cocktails are also great. Be sure to make reservations, which you can do with ease on line.

Great spicy chorizo, Dutch baby with Chantilly cream was fantastic. Great coffee.

Food was excellent. Food seemed to take a long time considering the restaurant was not full. The architecture and decor are beautiful, but the restaurant was kind of loud.

I ordered the special which was a bone in ribeye. Around the edges the meat was tender but the rest of the steak was tough with little flavor. The low score for service was a result of not bringing our wine for our dinner and not checking with us until our dinner was almost done.

So, so good! Food was excellent and cooked to order. Drinks and dessert were both fabulous!! Definitely recommend!

Literally can’t wait to be back! Went there for the first time last night and had the Filet. Can’t wait to try their brunch!!

Incredible food, very generous portions, delicious cocktails, and outstanding service. We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed live music the whole time as well. Can’t wait to come back to try lunch and brunch!

Beautiful night outside with chill live music. Sea bass was out of this world. Service was fantastic - great with recommendations. Will be back - soon!

Couldn't have picked a nicer place for our anniversary dinner.

The breakfast dishes are so delicious! Bloodys are tasty as well!

We wanted to eat here for awhile after coming across it while exploring one day. However we were fairly disappointed in the end. We sat outside on the patio which has a really nice ambiance. Service was prompt and attentive. We had the market salad, bistro burger and the filet mignon. The market salad was very good but that was about it for the food. The burger was fairly dry and cooked unevenly. Half was well done the other was medium rare, it was ordered to medium doneness. The fries were pretty greasy and very salty, we only ate about half of them. The filet we had ordered medium doneness but came out well done and very charred on most of it. Either the steak or the au poivre was extremely salty as well, it was hard to tell which one it was since the sauce was covering the steak, which is typical. Asparagus and au gratin potatoes were alright, nothing standoutish about them. I normally wouldn't be as critical but when you order a $50 steak your customers should feel like it was worth it.

Paoli Schoolhouse is so unique. First of all, the place is absolutely gorgeous. You feel like you stepped back in time. I mean, the place was a schoolhouse! The staff is professional and service is spot on. We had brunch on a Saturday, I took the burger and my girlfriend's took the tres leches French toast and the food was outstanding. My burger was perfectly cooked. The beer was ice cold and the smoked old fashioned was delicious. Brian the manager is definitely an asset to this place. Thank you!

Ordered a steak medium rare, came out well done. They have a drink on their menu called "the perfect margherita". Absolutely awful, barely drinkable. They must add an ounce of sugar. Not impressed. Cool building and atmosphere but that is about all.

Amazing food, amazing service, the outdoor patio was lovely, and who doesn’t love live music! You have to try this restaurant if you are in the area!

The food was so delicious, our server was amazing, and it’s such a cute place!! We will be back for sure!

This is a gem of a place. We had a great meal and cocktails there. Service was fantastic.

Amazing experience! Live music was surprisingly awesome and food was amazing. Super tender filet mignon and great wine choices. Was super happy with the overall experience. Also the white mousse dessert was perfect! Highly recommend. Great atmosphere & food. Worth every penny!

We enjoyed the Paoli schoolhouse on a whim and a prayer. Pleasantly surprised would be a grievous understatement. The filet mignon doesn't even taste like meat. It's a buttery herb glimpse into the heavens above. Dessert was negotiated against my will and I've never been been more wrong. The lightest sweetest cheesecake topped with fruit picked from garden that I don't believe exists on this side of reality. The bread is the way my mom made it at home. Lunch and brunch looks even better I can't wait to come back!!

We'd eaten here before, when the gift shop was part of the store. The food was very good then. We've recently gone back now that it's all restaurant, and....WOW!! Really exceptional food! AND we had very attentive and friendly service. Do yourself a favor and reserve a table!

Good service and great food. A romantic getaway, very close to Madison's westside.

I think the Madison area has many excellent restaurants, but this was the best tasting meal I have had in a long time. I ordered the salmon (somehow sourced from Northern Wisconsin) on fettuccine. The flavor took me by surprise. Better than any fish entre I had in Florida earlier this year. Very nice atmosphere. Quiet. Our table of four included two--three if you believe my wife--who are old of hearing. We could engage in conversation easily. Service was great. Looking forward to going back!

Had an amazing dinner! Logan's cocktail skills were quite impressive, service was attentive and outstanding!

I went to Paoli Schoolhouse for the first time the other day for brunch. The food was super delicious and they made sure to tell us that many of their ingredients are locally sourced. I had the quiche, and it was soooo delicious. The coffee was yummy, and it seems like they have a lot of fun drinks too. The staff are also really attentive and friendly. I'll definitely be back!

Beautiful restaurant with a great brunch and wonderful service.

Almost everyone has come to appreciate how challenging running a restaurant can be during this post-pandemic era. And even in the best of times, we all have off days. Alas, today's experience certainly felt off. The approach and initial impressions are quite positive; the interior spaces are nicely remodeled; staff is attentive. Zepeda's Chilaquiles: a shallow bowl filled with massively thick tortilla diamonds, some of which had a crunchy texture. Most, however, were impenetrably hard, bordering on inedible, however smothered with moderately flavorful sauce and nicely pickled onions. Eggs, ordered over medium and delivered (not once, but twice) hard with broken yolks, were balanced precariously atop. Quiche Lorraine: accompanied by a very lightly seasoned, perfectly fresh side salad, as well as nicely under-cooked asparagus spears. The quiche was certainly impressive looking when delivered: quite tall, with a layered crust, and seasoning layered on the top. Inside... a spongy, rather dry, mixture of egg, devoid of seasoning, no flavor of any kind, no hint of creaminess. There also appeared to be no cheese whatever, in any part of the dish; bacon lardons, if present, were certainly not flavorful. So... well, all-in-all, just unfortunate.

A charming and unique eatery. It offers the perfect atmosphere for an enjoyable dinner experience, whether you’re with friends or wanting something more romantic. We had an excellent waiter. Josh was friendly, professional, and did not crowd the table. The service provided by the rest of the staff was also spot on. Their attention to filling the water goblets, replacing drinks, clearing empty plates from the table was perfect. The soup and salad appetizers were both delicious. The cream of mushroom soup was meaty and creamy, with bits of mushroom throughout. The Harvest Salad was refreshingly light, with the perfect amount of vinaigrette dressing drizzled into the plate. A refreshing balance of acidity and sweetness, with just a hint of mustard. Big enough for 2 to share. The side of bread was alittle too crunchy for my taste, but the sweet and slightly oniony butter added a bit of flavor. My entree was a tender, perfect medium Beef Wellington. There was just the right amount of mushroom ragout wrapped in a buttery, flaky, crunchy pastry. The bone marrow demi-glaze took it up a notch. The asparagus and potatoes were all cooked perfectly. So satisfying, it was easy to clear the plate. My wife’s Scallops with an oh-so-creamy risotto were simply divine. Scallops were cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. After that satisfying meal, you don’t want a huge dessert. The crème brûlée dessert (our favorite) was sweet & creamy. My fruit & flan was tasty but the cake underneath was a bit dry and crumbly. After dinner we were able to talk with the manager about the building’s history and walk around. We can’t wait to go back, and in the summer enjoy their outdoor patio.

Excellent service, lovely atmosphere, steak au poivre was excellent with a kettle one dirty!

Delicious food with regularly changing menu each visit. Parking lot fills up and you may need to park on the street. Usually not an issue. Wait staff very professional and engaging. Food always delicious. Pro-Tip: they have one of the best hamburgers in Wisconsin.

Had an amazing meal with great service. You can feel the love in this place. Food was top notch, 5 star all the way. Can’t wait to go back

Excellent valentine's 4 course meal. The food, drinks, and atmosphere were great. Loved the live music. Can't wait to come back for dinner soon

Upscale dinner. The walleye was great. Lovely atmosphere.

Delicious meal with fun drinks, wonderful staff, atmosphere and music!

Amazing food, waitstaff, and drinks!! Highly recommend! I know that I can order healthy options, which is a must.

Had new years eve dinner there. The new york strip the chef cooked was a top tier steak. Probably the best steak I've ever tasted.

Great brunch spot! Beautiful Christmas atmosphere! Order a spicy bloody with a spotted cow back. My steak was a bit overdone. Loved my brunch date experience . Great service and beautiful accommodations!

Birthday brunch. Seated right away. Delicious food. Good bloody Mary. We'll be back.

Great lunch today, try the smoked Old Fashioned, thank you Forrest for great service it was a pleasure meeting you!

Great food and atmosphere. Forest was a great server. Hoping to return for New Year's.

AMAZING dining experience at an old schoolhouse in a small town in Wisconsin near Madison. BEST filet mignon I have EVER had! Perfectly cooked with a wood smoke flavor that was absolutely incredible. All sides were ideal compliments and service was 5 STAR! WORTH every penny and an experience you will not forget nor regret!

Nice wait staff. Nice environment. Good food . Nice but not pretentious

This was a completely unexpected joy. The food - we went at brunch - was amazing. I don't usually enjoy butternut squash, but I had their autumn harvest salad and it was delightful and the french toast spread my partner enjoyed had my mouth watering. A single drink is more than enough here, as their bartenders really know how to pour drinks! My only complaint, however, is that for the amount we paid and the appearance of the restaurant, the service was far below my expectations. The server we had did his best and was very delightful, but even for a busier time of day, it took quite a long time for a server to come to our table initially. We had reservations, and I hoped a server would at least come to tell us they would be right with us, but that didn't happen until we were about ready to ask for one. I'm sure it wasn't his fault, but I'd have liked to see better communication between the wait staff and hosts. Other than that, I'd say this one is definitely a spot we'll come back to!

The best halibut dinner I have eaten in a cozy, clean and comfortable restaurant! Going back!

Great food and drinks we both really like the squash soup special. Their avocado burger was a bit messy to eat but was flavorful. We went for lunch but we want to try their brunch and dinner options. The schoolhouse is a cozy venue and the staff was very attentive.

Top notch in every area. The beef wellington was perfect.

The term "hidden gem" can really be applied to the whole of Paoli, but nowhere moreso than the Schoolhouse. Perfect outdoor atmosphere with incredible service and delectable food. Worth going out of your way to get here!

Stopped to eat at 10am. Walked in and the place was empty with the exception of a party of 1 and a party of 2. We were asked if we had a reservation. I said do we need one? The young man said just a second. Came back and said the are too understaffed to seat us.

This place is great and so close to Verona. It's our new Sunday brunch spot. The food is delicious, I've been working on crossing something new off the list each trip. The outdoor dining space is lovely as well.

Great fresh food in nice location. Friendly staff.

Quaint, historic restaurant in downtown Paoli was a pleasant surprise! The menu offered a wide variety of selections for all taste palettes. The Beef Wellington was cooked perfectly with a flaky crust and tender meat inside with just the right amount of sauce and flavor. Was accompanied with mashed potatoes and crisp green beans. The server was pleasant and knowledgeable. Checked on us just the right amount. Dinner was finished with a lavender, honey crème brûlée. Smaller portion with a hint of lavender was a perfect end to our anniversary dinner.

The best restaurant in Madison, except it's in Paoli. Perfect farm to table food, amazing service, historic building, and live music outside. My new #1 in Madison (Paoli is close enough!)

One of my favorite brunch places in the Madison area. I love their patio, their staff are all incredibly nice, and the food is amazing. Everything I've seen or eaten there has been 10/10. I recommend to everyone!

great outdoor patio, delicious bloody, great food. will be back.

Went for lunch with the girls. Every dish was fresh, seasoned well and service was exceptional. Drinks sre pricey but generous.

A friend and I did an overnight trip to Paoli from Chicago. The community is so picturesque and this schoolhouse bistro definitely added to the charm. The interior was beautiful. It was light and airy and felt casually elegant. We sat outside on the porch because my friend brought her pooch. They accommodated the dog with a bowl of water. Although we only had salads, they were fresh and delicious with light and flavorful homemade dressings. The staff was so friendly. It was a pleasant place to have lunch.

We met our daughter and family here for brunch and we were delighted. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the patio. They are on the top of their game with presentation of each dish, friendliness of the staff, and variety of the menu. The mushroom pate was superb. We had the added bonus of the Sunday farmer’s market with live music and browsing the shops down the street. To complete the day, strawberry picking is about 5 miles away. The area is truly worth a visit starting with a stop at the Schoolhouse Bistro.