Where to Eat in Madison Right Now

Cutting edge eats cloaked in college town charm.

A cultural and geographic nexus between Milwaukee , Chicago , and the Twin Cities , Madison may be a midsize city , but the culinary vista is all Big City . Diners distinguish area like State Street , the lead between the Capitol Building and the University of Wisconsin - Madison campus , for its divers , affordable eateries . Those seeking a finer dining experience hew nearer to the Capitol arena , which hosts a slew of steakhouses and a fistful of James Beard Award - recognized eating house . But there ’s so much more to be found — not to mention something to suit every taste — across the city . From a railroad train depot turned forward-looking supper night club to a obscure muffin taco counter , here are the absolute good places to deplete in Madison properly now .

Alimentari

MarquetteAn offshoot of nearby A Pig in a Fur Coat , Alimentari is adequate parts Italian market and deli — think Eataly , but scale for Madison ’s ~260,000 - individual population . But the Williamson Street - side by side shop offers all of the solicitation of its lauded urban relative . browsing wine , fresh pasta , or niche sundries , and do n’t leave before ordering a sandwich . Offerings come layer with slabs of mozzarella or throng high up with thinly sliced delicatessen heart like mortadella , prosciutto , or capicola . To call Alimentari ’s portions “ generous ” would be an understatement — a single sandwich will easily feed you for two repast — but you ’ll definitely require to eat up the whole affair in one go . How to book : Stop by for tabulator divine service or monastic order take - out viaEatStreet .

Taiwan Little Eats

State - LangdonAmong State Street ’s many culinary outstation , Taiwan Little Eats is a can’t - miss . open up in 2017 as an homage to Formosan dark market fare , the counter - service joint is prevalent with homey ambiance and a bill of savory lure . The menu vagabond from “ shareables ” to “ large eats , ” but dishful in the “ minuscule chuck ” section , such as the melt - in - your - sassing braise pork barrel over Elmer Reizenstein noodles , are enough to satisfy even the hungriest of diners . fill out up a crew and order a few items from each family — we’re fond to the BBQ pork sausages , fish cake , and the crispy - but - not - oily fried volaille second joint over rice . How to reserve : Stop by for riposte religious service or edict take - outonline .

Harvey House

BassettDebuting in July 2021 after years of prep , planning , and buildout , the newest entrant to Madison ’s dining scene is helmed by married person Shaina Robbins Papach and Joe Papach , who returned to Wisconsin after stints at world - renowned asylum the French Laundry , Chez Panisse , and Gramercy Tavern . And the team ’s star - studded CV is apparent in everything from the meticulous service to each plate ’s elegant preparation . Dishes , such as the old fashioned - inspired duck knocker with fennel , cherries , orange , and cognac jus , surpass at updating traditional Wisconsin flavors with a mulct - dining turn . That ’s to say nothing of the space . The former string depot showcases old - worldly concern glamor while nodding to its industrial origins — think New York ’s Grand Central Oyster Bar with a amplitude of Midwestern magic spell . How to book : Reserve viaResy .

Enrique’s Market

Mendota HillsEnrique ’s Market is a nictation - and - you’ll - miss - it diamond on Madison ’s up - and - coming north side . Housed next to a laundromat and a bait - and - tackle shop , the modest Mexican market , owned and operated by the eponymous Enrique Hernandez and his son , Edgar , is a fuss - free geographical zone . table are sparse , it ’s counter avail only , but it also turns out some of the best tacos , tortas , and tamales in the city . maize tortillas arrive loaded with pick — the lengua and carnitas are local favorites — and dressed with little more than cilantro and Allium cepa . While you might take to add queso or avocado , there ’s no need — the heart are flavour and braised to perfection , and shine more than adequately on their own . How to hold : bar by for parry avail .

Ahan

Schenk - Atwood - Starkweather - YaharaBorn from a serial of pop - ups , Ahan ( Lao for “ food ” ) open up this brick - and - howitzer location in January 2020 inside music and events venue the Bur Oak . you’re able to break off by the Winnebago Street spot for some air , sure , but the real draw is the fare from chef - possessor Jamie Hoang . An potassium alum of local powerhouse L’Etoile and Forequarter , Hoang blends Asiatic flavour and preparations with local fixings to create truly toothsome stunner . The vegetable orchis rolls , red - tinged thanks to the addition of beets , are a meal in their own right . But do n’t stop there — order the spicy kua khing phed , which tops stir - fried tofu or pork and vegetable with a crispy fried egg , or plunge into the nam khao salad , stacked with crispy rice and curry - spiced sausage . How to hold : Stop by for first cum , first served seating or parliamentary procedure take - out viaToast .

Settle Down Tavern

First SettlementSettle Down Tavern magnifies the best aspects of Wisconsin taverns of yore : comfortable service , free - flow strong drink , and a truly superior burger . This Capitol - area eatery has two exceptional versions , a squawk smasher burger and a plant - based similitude , both perfectly ruckle at the edges . The computer menu is relatively small — a series of snacks , a grain bowl , a chicken sandwich , nightly specials — but who needs more when everything tastes so good ? That quality extends to the drinks program , which highlight local and women - owned wineries alongside far-out house cocktails courtesy of co - owner Brian Bartels , who cut his chops at New York notables like Fedora and literallywrote the book on U.S. cocktails . How to book : Stop by for first come , first attend seating or order take - out viaToast .

Fairchild

Dudgeon - MonroeFine - dining flair encounter cursory comforter at this near - Cicily Isabel Fairfield - side spot . Chefs Itaru Nagano and Andy Kroeger , each of acclaimed eating house like L’Etoile , Craft , and Bouchon Bistro , focus on transform simple , seasonal fixings with bring up techniques . But be warn : dishful change often – check their site before proceed ! – though you ’re improbable to be let down with anything on offer here . If it ’s uncommitted , try the octopus ( green curry , wild spinach , and Thai St. Basil the Great ) , which arrives impossibly lovesome on the inside and crinkle on the exterior . Pair with a deoxyephedrine of Austrian wine , and be enveloped by the cozy , wood - lined Interior Department , which lease the quality of the dishes beam . How to book : Reserve viaResyor order take - out viaToast .

Toby’s Supper Club

McFarlandFew State take Friday Pisces nipper as seriously as Wisconsin , and Toby ’s Supper Club , locate in the nearby township of McFarland , transmute the Midwestern tradition into a full - on sport . Here , patron must pre - order dinner party at the bustling bar — a practice that require an other arrival and dog purpose . But if you ’re game , it ’s well deserving the effort . Get well-heeled with a brandy onetime fashioned unfermented ( for the purists ) , set up the hash dark-brown to share , and rejoice in the moment when you ’re escort to your tabular array . Within min , you ’ll find yourself presented with a pipe - red-hot stack of freaky , utterly battered lake fish or cod . Of course , Toby ’s has other offering — the menu is massive — but those in the know go every Friday , get there early , and opt for the Pisces small fry . How to book : Stop by for first cum , first do seating or call 608 - 222 - 6913 for take - out .

Madison Sourdough

MarquetteMadison Sourdough is as much a gathering smudge as it is a dining destination , and it ’s often the site of long line of merchandise on the weekend . common people stop by with kids , fellowship , and friend for a lunchtime menu that includes soups , quiches , and sandwich , but the veridical focus , of course , is on the bakehouse ’s beautifully crusty sourdough . Made from Wisconsin - originate wheat , the original batard loaf is a standby , but the chewy pepitas polenta version , studded with toasted pumpkin germ and brisk sage , is a must - have . The card is round out out with Proto-Indo European , patty , and effete FrenchViennoiserie — we recommend grab a flaky peach tree - and - cheese danish or two ( one for now , one for later).How to book : Stop by for counter Robert William Service or order take - out viaUpserve .

Osteria Papavero

First SettlementOsteria Papavero chef Francesco Mangano bestow the flavour and techniques of the Tuscan Coast to Madison in this quaint Capitol - area joint . The focus here is on proficiency and custom , evidence by everything from the sculpturesque furnishings crafted by local craftsman Aaron Laux to the shareable - heavy menu . Those looking to hear a little act of everything should start with an antipasto tray , which extend a rotating selection of plant - base or seafood nibbles . Tuck in to a plate of like an expert fain alimentary paste , which has the recognisable bounce and snack of a well - made dough and comes complemented by blue homemade ‘ nduja sausage or a richly braise violent boar ragout . A word to the wise : Do n’t overtake up sweet , especially the butterscotch budino or , when available , the pine nut bawd . How to hold : Reserve viaResyor guild take - out viaToast .

Mint Mark

Schenk - Atwood - Starkweather - YaharaDining at Mint Mark is as much about the beautifully fitted out interiors as it is about James Beard - put forward chef Sean Pharr ’s extremist - seasonal menu . Grab a tooshie , order the fan - favorite Brassica oleracea botrytis ( bagna cauda , herbaceous plant , golden raisin , Sarvecchio cheese ) , and countenance yourself be enfold by the stylish space complete with exposed wood roof and palm - print wallpaper . The retro - exhort bar serve as the restaurant ’s focal point , as well as a backdrop for owner Chad Vogel ’s spirits savvy ( he also counts nearby Robin Room and Muskellounge and Sporting Club among his boozy fleet ) , showcased in concoctions like the When Doves Cry ( Tequila , Makrut lime syrup , Citrus paradisi cordial , lime juice , orange blossom water ) or a classic Pendennis Club ( Old Tom gin , apricot brandy , calx , Peychaud ’s bitters).How to Bible : backlog viaResy .

Sardine

MarquetteSardine is the rarefied Madison spot that boasts beautiful views inside and out : The sleek inside , perfect with gleaming organization fixture , subway tile , and expose Ellen Price Wood accents , propose sensational views of the open bare-ass bar and nearby Lake Monona . The dining room is open and windy , but we recommend posting up at the cake . It ’s the consummate vantage dot for revel the splendid oyster happy hour ( a dollar mark off East Coast huitre and $ 5 glasses of house red , white-hot , or rose ) and a cannister of sard . Polish off the evening with moules frites ( lily-white wine , Pernod , pick , fennel , tomato , aromatics ) and a looking glass of snappy Muscadet . How to reserve : modesty viaTock .

Salvatore’s Tomato Pies

Tenney - LaphamThere ’s no shortage of pizza to be found in this college townsfolk , but Salvatore ’s Tomato Pies easily takes Au . Owner Patrick DePula embellishes his terse - yet - chewy crusts with quality ingredients — take , for instance , the Forza , featuring pepperoni , calabrese chili peppers , fume Gouda , roast garlic , ricotta , and roast tomatoes . Local love for Sal ’s has fuel considerable enlargement in late years : In accession to the Sun Prairie outpost and the tiny ( currently closed for renovation ) East Johnson localisation , DePula has set up shop in a massive storefront on Madison ’s bustle about East Washington corridor and also opened an accession in nearby Monona . How to hold : Reserve viaResyor order take - out and deliveryonline .

The Harvey House