The best restaurants in Madison
79 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.
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Pinned in Madison today
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Two pinned places a day in Madison — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →Paid placements are always marked.
Nattspil
RestaurantsHidden, cash-only haunt offering global small plates, cocktails & beer in an intimate space.
Nattspil
RestaurantsVilla Dolce
RestaurantsRelaxed eatery offering artisanal pizza, housemade gelato & wine in a contemporary setting.
Villa Dolce
RestaurantsTapatíos Cocina Mexicana
RestaurantsBurritos, tortas, fish tacos & other Mexican standards turned out in a casual, contemporary space.
Tapatíos Cocina Mexicana
RestaurantsTavernakaya
RestaurantsIndustrial tavern offering a sushi bar, ramen bowls & Japanese tapas along with local & Asian beers.
Tavernakaya
RestaurantsCamp Cantina
RestaurantsFamily-run eatery serving Mexican mains, including tacos, burritos and more, plus beer, margaritas and cocktails.
Camp Cantina
RestaurantsSalvatore's Tomato Pies - Madison
RestaurantsCasual eatery crafting pizza pies (including vegan and gluten-free versions) as well as tacos, and burgers.
Salvatore's Tomato Pies - Madison
RestaurantsSumo Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
RestaurantsJapanese hibachi-style steaks & other specialties served with a selection of sushi favorites.
Sumo Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
RestaurantsTaqueria Guadalajara
RestaurantsEatery doling out familiar Mexican eats such as tacos & enchiladas in a petite, unassuming setting.
Taqueria Guadalajara
RestaurantsEl Rancho Mexican Grill
RestaurantsInformal counter-serve doling out simple Mexican standards such as burritos, tacos, nachos & tortas.
El Rancho Mexican Grill
RestaurantsLuigi's Pizza
RestaurantsCozy, family-friendly joint offering creative, thin-crust pizzas & Italian comfort food favorites.
Luigi's Pizza
RestaurantsD’Vino
RestaurantsUpscale eatery offering Italian cuisine and wine in a cozy, romantic setting.
D’Vino
RestaurantsNovanta
RestaurantsModern eatery with a small patio for wood-fired pizzas with elevated toppings & select mozzarellas.
Novanta
RestaurantsBassett Street Brunch Club
RestaurantsBecause sometimes brunch cravings hit at sunrise or after dark, Bassett Street Brunch Club blends retro vibes with a bold, modern twist,…
Bassett Street Brunch Club
RestaurantsSunny Pho
RestaurantsSunny Pho is the weeknight reset you forgot you needed. Big, soothing bowls of pho with fragrant broth and all the fresh herbs, perfect…
Sunny Pho
RestaurantsSushi Lover Madison
RestaurantsAll-you-can-eat restaurant providing sushi, sashimi, and hibachi dishes for lunch and dinner.
Sushi Lover Madison
RestaurantsCool pizza place serving Detroit-style pies with a wide range of toppings, plus cocktails.
Izakaya Kuroyama
RestaurantsJapanese-cuisine izakaya/restaurant specializing in skewers, ramen and tonkatsu chicken dishes.
Izakaya Kuroyama
RestaurantsIan’s Pizza Madison | State Street
RestaurantsWisconsin-born chain known for its creative pizzas including its signature mac 'n' cheese pie.
Ian’s Pizza Madison | State Street
RestaurantsGraze Restaurant
RestaurantsLively gastropub plating farm-to-table comfort fare in a modern glass venue with Capitol views.
Graze Restaurant
RestaurantsIan’s Pizza Madison | Frances Street
RestaurantsWisconsin-born chain known for its creative pizzas including its signature mac 'n' cheese pie.
Ian’s Pizza Madison | Frances Street
RestaurantsCity Barbeque
RestaurantsCounter-serve smokehouse chain offering classic barbecue fare in down-home settings.
City Barbeque
RestaurantsJet Room Restaurant
RestaurantsDaytime American cafe with views of planes taking off & landing at Dane County Airport.
Jet Room Restaurant
RestaurantsThe Harvey House
RestaurantsCreative cuisine & cocktails served in a redbrick restaurant with a stylish, old-school interior.
The Harvey House
RestaurantsMOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
RestaurantsCounter-serve chain for custom burgers, including poultry & veggie versions, plus fries & shakes.
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
RestaurantsLombardino's Restaurant
RestaurantsNeighborhood restaurant serving seasonal cuisine in a space with Roman columns & a Venice mural.
Lombardino's Restaurant
RestaurantsGlass Nickel Pizza Co. - Madison East
RestaurantsInformal, eco-minded chain serving creative pizzas & classic pastas, plus wings, fish & shrimp.
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. - Madison East
RestaurantsMISSION BBQ
RestaurantsCasual chain featuring BBQ & classic sides, plus memorabilia honoring soldiers & first responders.
MISSION BBQ
RestaurantsBonfyre American Grille
RestaurantsUpscale-casual choice offering contemporary American fare & a full bar with local beers on tap.
Bonfyre American Grille
RestaurantsMint Mark
RestaurantsLight American small plate restaurant & bar in a blue brick building offering martini lunches.
Mint Mark
RestaurantsNaples 15
RestaurantsWood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas & classic Italian mains served in a warm trattoria with a patio.
Naples 15
RestaurantsGrampa's Pizzeria
RestaurantsGourmet thin-crust pizza, wine, craft beer & desserts served in a cool space with an herb garden.
Grampa's Pizzeria
RestaurantsGlass Nickel Pizza Co. - Madison West
RestaurantsInformal, eco-minded chain serving creative pizzas & classic pastas, plus wings, fish & shrimp.
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. - Madison West
RestaurantsNitty Gritty-Madison
RestaurantsIndustrial-style tavern with varied burgers, sandwiches & other Americans eats, plus many beers.
Nitty Gritty-Madison
RestaurantsOsteria Papavero
RestaurantsCozy, laid-back spot serving large portions of seasonal Italian fare & an extensive wine list.
Osteria Papavero
RestaurantsCento
RestaurantsFarm-to-fork Italian restaurant with housemade pastas & wood-fired pizzas, plus a sizable wine list.
Cento
RestaurantsSteenbock's On Orchard
RestaurantsModern campus bistro featuring seasonal New American fare & cocktails in stylish surrounds.
Steenbock's On Orchard
RestaurantsMonty's Blue Plate Diner
Restaurants1950s-style diner serving comfort food plus vegetarian & vegan options in a renovated gas station.
Monty's Blue Plate Diner
RestaurantsMOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
RestaurantsCounter-serve chain for custom burgers, including poultry & veggie versions, plus fries & shakes.
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
RestaurantsSaigon Noodles Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
RestaurantsUnpretentious, busy cafe specializing in Vietnamese dishes & Asian fare, with weekend specials.
Saigon Noodles Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
RestaurantsMadison's
RestaurantsCasual, 2-level bar with artisanal cocktails & pub grub plus TV sports & a cozy downstairs lounge.
Madison's
RestaurantsKorill Hut Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
RestaurantsRelaxed, family-friendly eatery featuring all-you-can-eat KBBQ and hot pot fare, plus a sauce bar.
Korill Hut Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
RestaurantsLola's Hi/Lo Lounge
RestaurantsHi-fi-themed eatery serving pizza and other comfort dishes, plus cocktails, craft beer and wine.
Lola's Hi/Lo Lounge
RestaurantsPasture and Plenty
RestaurantsLight & airy farm-to-table café serving wholesome meals & selling frozen produce.
Pasture and Plenty
RestaurantsJohnny Delmonico's Steakhouse
RestaurantsUpscale steakhouse serving classic surf 'n' turf & wine in a retro, supper club-style venue.
Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse
RestaurantsMuramoto Hilldale
RestaurantsTrendy, upscale restaurant serving sushi, Asian-fusion small plates & sake in modern environs.
Muramoto Hilldale
RestaurantsJacknife
RestaurantsColorful eatery serving up sushi rolls and bowls, as well as beer and wine, plus sake.
Jacknife
RestaurantsOishi
RestaurantsCozy spot serving sushi rolls, lunchtime bento boxes & other Japanese fare in a casual venue.
Oishi
RestaurantsRare Steakhouse
RestaurantsA fancy steakhouse with an old-school vibe serving classy cuts & sides paired with fine wines.
Rare Steakhouse
RestaurantsBeef Butter BBQ
RestaurantsMeat-centric Texan-style eatery dishing out brisket, plus ribs and pulled pork, along with house-made sausages.
Beef Butter BBQ
RestaurantsDraper Brothers Chophouse
RestaurantsCozy chophouse restaurant offering Italian dishes, steaks, cocktails, and private dining.
Draper Brothers Chophouse
RestaurantsCafé Hollander Hilldale
RestaurantsBelgian beers & comfort-food fare served in a European-style cafe with a vintage-chic vibe.
Café Hollander Hilldale
RestaurantsFat Jacks Barbecue
RestaurantsDown-home eatery serving pit-smoked BBQ, with all-you-can-eat specials & a lengthy beer menu.
Fat Jacks Barbecue
RestaurantsTokyo Sushi
RestaurantsSushi restaurant offering bento boxes and other mainstays along with beer.
Tokyo Sushi
RestaurantsYako Sushi House
RestaurantsCozy Japanese eatery known for sushi and tempura rolls, plus poke bowls.
Yako Sushi House
RestaurantsAlchemy Cafe
RestaurantsLaid-back, cash-only tavern offering gourmet pub grub, rotating tap beers & live music most nights.
Alchemy Cafe
RestaurantsFairchild
RestaurantsInformal eatery serving creative meat plates, seafood & pasta, plus cocktails & wine.
Fairchild
RestaurantsFamous Dave's Bar-B-Que
RestaurantsOutlet of a BBQ chain serving wood-smoked meats & sides in an American West-themed space.
Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que
RestaurantsDelaney's Steak Seafood Wine
RestaurantsLong-running white-tablecloth steakhouse with traditional fare, including seafood, plus many wines.
Delaney's Steak Seafood Wine
RestaurantsTornado Steak House
RestaurantsOld-school steakhouse with a rustic, supper-club vibe serving classic chops, seafood & cocktails.
Tornado Steak House
RestaurantsDotty Dumpling's Dowry
RestaurantsLongtime local institution offering specialty burgers, cheese curds & tap beers in quirky digs.
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry
RestaurantsNam's Noodle & Karaoke Bar
RestaurantsCasual spot featuring noodle dishes & Chinese, Vietnamese & Korean fare plus private karaoke rooms.
Nam's Noodle & Karaoke Bar
RestaurantsThe Botanist Social
RestaurantsCozy spot with candlelit tables serving a menu of fine food and a selection of gin-based cocktails.
The Botanist Social
RestaurantsHeritage Tavern
RestaurantsUpscale New American fare for dinner & weekend brunch served in a classy space with old-world flair.
Heritage Tavern
RestaurantsRED
RestaurantsSleek eatery serving creative sushi rolls & grilled Japanese fare in modern environs.
RED
RestaurantsThe Stuffed Olive - Madison
RestaurantsCozy restaurant serving tapas, flatbreads, and other small plates, plus 100 martinis.
The Stuffed Olive - Madison
RestaurantsLucille
RestaurantsVintage, industrial-chic tavern with 3 floors serving wood-fired & steel-pan pizzas, plus cocktails.
Lucille
RestaurantsNonno's Ristorante Italiano
RestaurantsEasygoing, family-owned restaurant offering pizza, pasta & mains, plus a full bar.
Nonno's Ristorante Italiano
RestaurantsStadium Takeout
RestaurantsPopular and friendly spot doling out tasty fare such as burgers, wings, hot dogs and Italian beef.
Stadium Takeout
RestaurantsWings Over Madison
RestaurantsPopular restaurant chain with a variety of chicken wings, chicken tenders, boneless wings & sides for dine-in, takeout & delivery.
Wings Over Madison
RestaurantsEat the Best Pizza
RestaurantsVibrant eatery specializing in New York-style pies and calzones, plus garlic knots and strombolis.
Eat the Best Pizza
RestaurantsOriginal Pancake House
RestaurantsSignature pancakes & other American breakfast classics all day in a casual setting.
Original Pancake House
RestaurantsBar Corallini
RestaurantsPizza & pasta dishes presented in a modern setting, plus a vegan menu & a robust wine list.
Bar Corallini
RestaurantsD.P. Dough
RestaurantsLocal chain open late for calzones with diverse fillings, including chili dog & cheesecake versions.
D.P. Dough
RestaurantsPizza Brutta
RestaurantsCasual spot for wood-fired, Neapolitan pies created from housemade mozzarella & local ingredients.
Pizza Brutta
RestaurantsHạ Long Bay
RestaurantsTraditional Southeast Asian eatery serving up a large menu of Thai, Vietnamese & Laotian dishes.
Hạ Long Bay
RestaurantsFin Sushi - Madison West
RestaurantsCasual, clean, family-friendly sushi restaurant with a take-out counter and outdoor seats.
Fin Sushi - Madison West
RestaurantsThe Thirsty Goat
RestaurantsUpbeat brewpub offering draft beers, BBQ, TVs & entertainment.
The Thirsty Goat
RestaurantsThe Statehouse
RestaurantsFine hotel dining establishment offering seasonal American fare & drinks amid scenic lake views.
The Statehouse
RestaurantsSmoky Jon's #1 BBQ
RestaurantsCompact BBQ joint churning out classic platters & sandwiches featuring meat from a wood-burning pit.
Smoky Jon's #1 BBQ
RestaurantsNothing matched that. Know a spot we’re missing? Tell us →
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