Here’s a bold claim: Madison, Wisconsin’s food scene isn’t just about cheese curds. Picture a town nestled in the heartland with farm-to-table possibilities galore, thanks to the nation’s largest producer-only farmers market. Add a cosmopolitan twist, with Madison ranking as one of the ten most educated cities in the U.S., plus a dash of Chicago’s nearby influence. Top it off with a good beer (and maybe some cheese curds, because – On, Wisconsin!), and you’ve got a culinary destination that’s way more than it seems.
Not convinced? Take a look at our Madison restaurant lineup, from brunch through dinner. Here are our favorite dishes – and yes, you’re going to want to try them all.
Brunch at Centro
This Italian spot brings old-world flavor with a modern spin, right in downtown Madison. While we’re sure their lunch and dinners are stellar, we dropped in for the Boozy Brunch special: one low price includes a pastry selection, two brunch cocktails, Bottomless Colectivo Drip Coffee or Letterbox Tea, and your choice of any brunch, lunch, or pizza entrée.
Breakfast Pizza
Sausage, spinach, onion, egg, and hollandaise on the perfect crust. Trust us – hollandaise on pizza is a revelation.
Sardine
Founders John Gadau and Phillip Hurley brought a taste of the California restaurant scene to Madison’s lakeside with Sardine, which they launched in 2006. This bistro is a gem with locally sourced ingredients and scenic views.
Croque Monsieur
Local Wisconsin ham and gruyère, béchamel-soaked and topped with frites. We couldn’t resist dipping those fries for a little extra béchamel indulgence.
Michelangelo’s
Since 1977, this coffee haven has been proudly serving fair-trade, socially conscious coffee. Friends don’t let friends drink Starbucks, and neither does founder Sam Chehade.
Fair Trade Coffee
We came for the coffee but will be back for the pastries. A perfect cup that could only be improved with a fresh pastry on the side – next time!
Thirsty Goat
Just outside Madison, this brewpub was a must on our Cannonball Loop Bike Ride. With a spacious patio and generous BBQ portions, it’s the perfect refuel spot.
Wisco Burger and Curds
A beef burger topped with beer-cheese sauce, bacon, fried onions, jalapeños, and fresh-cut fries. The cheese curds? Battered to perfection.
Graze
Opened by James Beard Award winner Chef Tory Miller, Graze pairs locally-sourced comfort food with Capitol views.
Bulgogi Bibimbap
Celebrating Chef Tory’s Wisconsin-Korean heritage, this bowl blends regional farm-fresh ingredients in a beautiful, mouthwatering dish.
Monty’s Blue Plate Diner
A diner that’s part retro-gas-station, part 50s-hipster hangout, located in the Atwood neighborhood. Breakfast all day and vegan comfort food options make Monty’s a local favorite.
Mushroom Burger, Ultimate Mac and Cheese, Fat Elvis Shake
The three-cheese mac and cheese earned its superlative, while the Fat Elvis Shake (boozy option available!) had us swooning over peanut butter, banana, and chocolate goodness.
Tipsy Cow
Located just off Capitol Square, Tipsy Cow is Madison’s go-to tavern for over a decade, with a patio view that’s hard to beat.
Local Goat Cheese Curds
Lightly battered with New Glarus Spotted Cow beer, these goat cheese curds are a hyper-local twist on a Wisconsin staple.
The Old Fashioned
Step into Wisconsin heritage with a dash of nostalgia at The Old Fashioned, where the décor feels like an Elks Club-meets-Happy-Days vibe.
Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup, Brat, Wisconsin Fondue
The Sheboygan brat and all-Wisconsin fondue are solid choices, but the beer cheese soup stole our hearts.
Ian’s Pizza – Mac and Cheese Pizza
We couldn’t resist the buzz surrounding Ian’s Pizza. Affordable, craft-quality pizza with creative toppings and local ingredients make this place a Madison staple.
Heritage Tavern
Upscale farm-to-table dining with a global twist, Chef Daniel Fox delivers excellence here. His impressive resume includes some of Chicago’s top restaurants, and it shows.
Peppercorn Crusted Strip Loin and Braised Short Rib
Tender, flavorful, and balanced with locally foraged mushrooms and veggies, this is a dish to savor.
Fairchild Restaurant
Since winning Best Chef Midwest, Fairchild’s reservation list has been packed. It’s a spot worth the wait, and the flavor is as elevated as it is welcoming.
Seven Seeds Chicken
Baked chicken and cabbage dumplings with Brussels sprouts, acorn squash puree, and walnuts – a perfect fall dish.
Merchant
This spot combines industrial chic with seasonal, locally-sourced dishes right in downtown Madison.
Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich
Jalapeno crema, napa cabbage slaw, and pickled veggies on brioche? Delicious!
Harvey House
Behind Madison’s historic train depot, The Harvey House is a celebration of Wisconsin’s iconic supper clubs.
New York Strip Steak
We kept it classic with a juicy New York Strip.
Eno Vino
Small plates and rooftop views make this the place to unwind with friends over a martini or two.
Creme Brûlée, Chocolate Martini, Espresso Martini
We went for dessert martinis, and the creme brûlée was the perfect sweet touch.
Madison’s Final Note
With the most parks per capita and platinum-rated bike trails, Madison’s second-place fitness ranking makes sense. After all, a town this delicious has to work off all those farm-to-table bites somehow!
Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.
