Best Madison Restaurants: Savour Exquisite Flavours!
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Madison boasts a vibrant dining scene that reflects its diverse community. From farm-to-table bistros serving local fare to innovative eateries offering global flavors, Madison's restaurants are a testament to the city's culinary creativity and commitment to quality. Whether you're in the mood for a casual brunch or a fine dining experience, the capital city's array of options will not disappoint. Join us on a journey through Madison's mouthwatering menus.
107 state
4.5
(212)
Reviews:
If i could give more stars, I would. I arrived in a wheelchair. My friend was having trouble pushing me through the door. One of the employees rushed to the door to help me. With her help, the door was easy. They seated us immediately. We ordered drinks and an appetizer, mushroom crustini. The toast had crunch, the topping was creamy, and the mushrooms were plentiful. We ordered dinner; Steak Frites and Shrimp Scampi. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the fries were amazing! Everything was seasoned to perfection; spice but not overpowering. Delicious! I'll be back soon!
Danielle Tourdot
We had one issue with our food that was remedied immediately - super service and awesome food- been there twice and will continue to go
JAIME ALBRECHT
Stopped in after a show at the Overture Center on a Friday night. We got there just after the kitchen was closed so can't speak to the food. The drinks we ordered were both mediocre for the price. One was flavorless the other was basically just dominated by the shake of spice put on top. We sat at the bar where you'd expect good service in a fairly empty restaurant, but instead I would describe it as subpar. I sat with an empty drink for more than enough time that I might have ordered a second drink that might have redeemed the place, but instead gave up and just got the check. With a location so close to the square and Overture Center this place really seems to miss the opportunity as a late night stop. Definitely better options close by.
Efrem Lirtzman
I LOVE this place! The last restaurant iterations in this space have been truly lacking, so I was very dubious about the new joint. However, my fears were QUICKLY assuaged. This place ROCKS! The burgers and steak are delicious. (I haven't had the pasta, but it looks great too!). And don't miss the cheesecake! It took me several visits to give in, and I was mad at myself for not eating it before! The staff are all really great and friendly and make this place feel very, very welcoming! Update: I have ordered several pastas, and they are as delicious as I hoped. Every one! Recommend everything from this place!
Angela Janis
Came in right when they opened, without a reservation, seated immediately. Service was attentive. Dairyland Bliss burger was delicious and dripping with wisco sauce....extra napkins, please. The generous piles of fries were piping hot but needed some seasoning.
MaryAnn Combs
107 State St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Sardine
4.7
(1629)
Hip bistro with creative French fare & a lively bar in a former warehouse with Lake Monona views.
Reviews:
We had a wonderful brunch with Eater as our server who was helpful, kind and friendly. The food was perfectly prepared and presented. We had the savory oats, the creamed eggs and omelets. They were happy to make substitutions and the place definitely has a cool Euro vibe. We will be back!
Fran Puleo Moyer
We went there with our little 5 months old baby. We got seated right away because we had a reservation. The waitress is new and she is super sweet. She made sure we got what we needed and answered our questions regarding the menus and drinks. The food is delicious. We will definitely go back!
Mao Lee
We had a great experience at Sardine! The restaurant is extremely clean and very charming. It really does look like a French bistro. We enjoyed the creative seasonal menu. There are lots of seafood options here that are hard to find in Madison! We ordered the goat cheese appetizer, which was fantastic. I had flounder, and it was cooked and seasoned perfectly. I especially enjoyed the combination of roasted squash under the fish and crispy squash chips on top. Our favorite drink of the night was the Sardine Cola (pictured). I think this restaurant is definitely worth the price point. The only reason I’m giving it a 4/5 for atmosphere is because it’s pretty crowded. I understand wanting to be able to seat more people, but some of the small tables are right on top of each other. We were almost touching the couple next to us. But our server was kind enough to offer to move us to another table by the window without us even asking. Honestly, I don’t think the layout is a reason not to go there. It deserves an overall five stars. The food is beyond worth it, and we will absolutely be back!
Katie U
The food was amazing. I had the cod and it was done perfectly, melt in your mouth perfect. The butterscotch dessert was also extremely delectable. Good wine selection. Definitely recommend.
Eugene Khoo
so good! lovely interior, it had the vibe of an east coast inspired french bistro! expensive, but delicious. our waiter was really nice too, it was my bday and he noticed and gave our dessert for free :)) will def come again.
grace raleigh
617 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Mickies dairy bar
4.7
(1664)
Cozy local institution serving hearty portions of breakfast fare at communal tables.
Reviews:
Searching for a phenomenal breakfast? Are you a Dairy Bar aficionado? Longing for sauerkraut as an omelet filling or side order? Mickie’s is your place! Charming, friendly atmosphere. House-made, homemade food. Exceptional service (yes, you, Capri!). Even the other diners were friendly and helpful (great recommendations for the farmers’ market). Portions are ginormous- plan on leftovers or to share. Don’t like cooked raisins? Neither do we, but the griddle cakes may just well make a believer out of you. The scramblers are chock full of crispy potatoes, eggs done right, and real cheese. And the coffee is the real deal: diner Joe double plus.
Jim Hinterlong
Can't go wrong eating breakfast here. Everything served was tasty, and have huge portions. We had the Scrambler, a single cornmeal pancake, and the French Toast. The French Toast is a pair of cinnamon rolls cut in half, and dipped as if slices of bread. They were NOT too sweet, as I initially expected. Large portion sizes also apply to sides, and our extra bacon was no exception, and cooked to perfection. Looking forward to our next visit. 4.8 Stars
Steve Hunsader
Food was very good. Order the scrambler with bacon, bellpeppers, onions, mushrooms, and jalapeños. Very delicious. Comes with toast. Also ordered a strawberry banana milkshake. Well worth it. The place is cash only. ATM up front, so readily available if you only have card.
Drew Tj
Great little diner. Was able to get coffee while we waited to be seated. Cash only.
Daniel FieldHockey
It's been far too long since I've been to a "good ol' classic" kind of diner. Mickies crosses every box. Great staff, quick service, great prices, awesome diner food, and generous portion sizes. Honestly, saying "generous" is an understatement. The portion size for one scrambler is enough to feed 2 grown adults but that doesn't stop you from wanting to polish the plate off yourself.
Blake Ochsner
1511 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711, USA
Lucille
4.4
(2005)
Vintage, industrial-chic tavern with 3 floors serving wood-fired & steel-pan pizzas, plus cocktails.
Reviews:
Lucille came highly recommended to me by my friends, and I completely understand why. We came in on a Tuesday evening, inquired about getting a table in outdoor seating. The wait was about 10 minutes, so we got a drink at the bar. There were a lot of choices for beer on tap, in addition to a full bar, and we were served immediately. We brought our drinks to our table outside and were greeted by our server, Celia. Celia was such a kind human. She was attentive, keeping our drinks full. The food we ordered came out fast, fresh and flavorful. The best bite of the night was the spicy shrimp skewer dipped into the aji verde sauce! Thank you, Lucille and Celia, for a wonderful night!
Stephanie Hove
Ordered the Standard Steel Pan Pizza, the Weekender (Steel Pan) and cheese curds for a family of four. We loved the crunchiness of both pizza crusts, but was a bit salty for our taste. We enjoyed the spiciness of the sausage on the Weekender and the cheese curds were a hit with everyone. The ambience was chill, yet inviting and the music really set the tone for the vibe - we enjoyed everything about the setting. Our server was professional and attentive. If we're ever back in the area, I'd come back.
Blanca Correa-Gutiérrez
This place has amazing pizza! Went work a few other friends and family ordered a few different pizzas to try a variety. Each one of them were great! Ordered The Weekender, The Queen, and the Breakfast Pizza
Luis Franco
Lucille is an upscale pizza place. Great ambiance and truly unique pizzas. We started off with cheese curds and taco chips with salsa. Both were delicious. The cheese curds were up to Wisconsin standards! We shared 3 pizzas, the Umami, the Weekender and the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean was the hands down favorite. If you don't like the olives you can omit them or pick them off. The Weekender is a deep dish steel pan pizza that I really liked and was very filling too! Sausage topping had some spice but was very tasty. The Umami just seemed a bit lacking. Not enough toppings or sauce. It was our least favorite. Lucille was exceptional at meeting our gluten/dairy free needs! We ordered the Caribbean Chickpea Curry Bowl and they offered to modify the jalapeno crema sauce to make it Gluten & dairy free! (No extra charge). They even asked if anyone at our table had any food alergies before we even mentioned it. Our server Josephine was very busy, but she made time for us which was nice! She took good care of us! To top things off, we were celebrating a birthday and did get offered a free desert choice. The Strawberry Rhubard Crisp with ice cream was delicious!
Tom C (Traveller Tom)
Delicious and a fantasticly fun place. recommended to us by my husbands boss.!! she wasn't wrong what an amazing place. they did to get a pizza, but they made up for that so then go to that.. what's your phone please I want a great environment I like this place
Honey Ahijevych
101 King St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Heritage tavern
4.6
(933)
Upscale New American fare for dinner & weekend brunch served in a classy space with old-world flair.
Reviews:
We had a fantastic time for our first visit to Heritage Tavern during food week. The interior atmosphere, is so inviting and charming… Steeped in history it feels like and so warm and welcoming. Service was over the top wonderful and embracing. Everybody was happy to work here. It seems and happy that it was us. They were working to make. Have a great experience. The food was, just plain exceptionally delicious!
Aj Sue
My third time here — and it’s solidified, one of the best places to eat in Madison. Truly excellent, incredibly delicious food (not a single bad dish among them), great service (they remembered our anniversary and brought champagne), and a classy atmosphere. Definitely fine dining, but I was not at all disappointed. The deviled eggs weee each different and unique, the shrimp and grits were the best I’ve had almost anywhere, the scallops were a huge hit, and the schnitzel and spätzle was just perfect. Also, some lovely NA wine as well! If you’re looking for a great dining experience near downtown, go here please.
Jordan G.L. Hardin
What a great place for fine dining! Downtown, right off the square. Definitely a good spot for big groups. Was just two of us, we ordered a large pork porterhouse meal for 2+, it could have fed more people for sure! 😅 we took some boxes home and had to have one small profiterole for dessert.
Alyssa Russo
Great experience! Yummy drinks! We got a cheese plate which was so good and paired it with the beet salad. We had the short rib for dinner along with the steak sandwich special. All very filling! Great atmosphere, servers were efficient and gave us space. Would recommend.
Sara Dickey
The food is outstanding! No disrespect to the chefs. They're doing an amazing job. However, the staff was a bit inattentive, and although the restaurant has nice interior design, the rooms sound ambiance is flat-out poor. It's tough to have conversations in there when the seating is close and the sound carries like Aaron Rodger's 2011 football season. Plus it's a busy place. We loved the food but still couldn't justify our experience for the price. So we probably won't be coming back.
Braeden McKean
131 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Tornado steak house
4.6
(1857)
Old-school steakhouse with a rustic, supper-club vibe serving classic chops, seafood & cocktails.
Reviews:
I feel like I was transported back to the opening of the restaurant be it the 70s or 60s. The service was amazing. We were able to score bar seats as we were told they were booked for the weekend. The French onion soup might be the best I’ve ever had. The wedge is an interesting take on the salad. The steak was amazing and the hash browns oh my god good. Worth the stop for sure
Douglas Blake
If you like classic steakhouses, Tornado Steak House is for you. Low light, dark wood, and leather booths speak from the past (in a good nostalgic way). The food was excellent as well as the service. Great job.
Andrew Roman
I loved my visit to the Tornado Room. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun. The service was outstanding. The food was amazing. The venison tenderloin was oh so tender and the deserts were to die for. The best thing I can say is that we'll definitely be back.
Elizabeth Livingston
Walked in on a Friday night asking for a table on the patio. Got a spot and had a wonderful meal! Thanks JD for the excellent service! The Filet au Poivre was incredible! The Duck Breast was also amazing!
Trevor Murray
This is the real deal! An authentic Wisconsin supper club and steakhouse, located in downtown Madison. Unchanged for decades, they have everything honed to perfection. Excellent cocktails, fantastic steaks, and probably the best hash browns you will ever eat, all served with precision and just the right amount of attentiveness.
Tom Borchardt
116 S Hamilton St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
The old fashioned
4.5
(3874)
Wisconsin-themed, retro-style tavern offering beers, brats & cheese curds (all sourced in-state).
Reviews:
On a Saturday there was an estimated 1 hour wait but it took 1.5 hours. The food was pretty good, but it's over hyped I would say. The burger did taste really good also I would suggest it! But the fries could for sure use an upgrade compared to others in the area. Worth a check out!
Steven Warren
The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin is a great place to go for delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere. I've been there several times, and I'm always impressed by the quality of the food and the friendly service. The menu features a variety of classic American dishes, as well as some more unique options. I highly recommend the fish fry on Fridays, which is made with fresh, local fish and served with all the fixings. The burgers are also excellent, and the prime rib on Saturdays is a must-try. In addition to the great food, The Old Fashioned also has a great atmosphere. The restaurant is decorated in a classic tavern style, with a warm and inviting feel. The staff is always friendly and attentive, and they go out of their way to make sure that you have a good time. Whether you're looking for a casual place to grab a bite to eat or a place to celebrate a special occasion, The Old Fashioned is a great option. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great dining experience in Madison, Wisconsin. Here are some specific things I love about The Old Fashioned: The food is always delicious and made with fresh ingredients. The staff is friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The restaurant is located in a convenient location in downtown Madison. The prices are reasonable. Overall, I highly recommend The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant to anyone looking for a great dining experience in Madison, Wisconsin.
Shawn Keller
Loud patrons ruin the experience for people who are out with friends for a meal and a beverage. There is no way to fix that problem however. The server was attentive and the pickled beet salad is something I'll replicate at home! My friends loved the fried fish dishes they ordered. Delicious! When in Wisconsin try the beer cheese soup! 😁
Barbara Little
Friday, October 6 (PM) I sat at the bar and had the Walleye Sandwich w cheese curds, their signature Old Fashioned which was amazing, and a couple of tasty local beers. It was my first ever time eating walleye and the meal was delicious. The bartender, Laura, was friendly and engaging and made great food and drink recommendations. This will be my first stop the next time I'm back in Madison!
Mark L'Ecuyer
Great atmosphere. Lots of seating. Very casual and great for both a couple or a group of friends. Food was good. We opted for the meat and cheese lazy Susan which had a lot of variety. Cheese curds were excellent.
Deanna Buschini
23 N Pinckney St #1, Madison, WI 53703, USA