Guidebook for Madison
Food Scene
Salvatore's Tomato Pies
912 E Johnson StBest pizza in town!
This place is only open on Saturday and Sunday mornings and early afternoons for a short period of time and will be sold soon. Try it for brunch and pastries while it's still open. Everything is home made and made to order.
19 locals recommend
Sophia's Bakery & Cafe
831 E Johnson StThis place is only open on Saturday and Sunday mornings and early afternoons for a short period of time and will be sold soon. Try it for brunch and pastries while it's still open. Everything is home made and made to order.
Macha Tea Company
823 E Johnson StLocally owned tea shop that offers unique gifts.
Delicious authentic Venezuelan and South American cuisine that is open for lunch as well as dinner.
La Taguara Johnson
827 E Johnson StDelicious authentic Venezuelan and South American cuisine that is open for lunch as well as dinner.
Really popular hangout spot in the neighborhood that offers coffee and local baked goods.
34 locals recommend
Johnson Public House
908 E Johnson StReally popular hangout spot in the neighborhood that offers coffee and local baked goods.
Upscale dining and cocktails with focus on seasonal menu items. Food quality and atmosphere are tops.
29 locals recommend
Forequarter
Upscale dining and cocktails with focus on seasonal menu items. Food quality and atmosphere are tops.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Robin Room
821 East Johnson StreetAmazing staff, craft cocktails, and ambiance.
The Caribou Tavern
703 E Johnson StExtremely popular dive bar.
Best place in town to play pool since they have 8 regulation sized pool tables and a bar table upstairs. Also offer shuffleboard and a dartboard. Good quality bar food. Good drinks. Open 11am until bar time every day.
Brass Ring Bar & Restaurant
701 E Washington AveBest place in town to play pool since they have 8 regulation sized pool tables and a bar table upstairs. Also offer shuffleboard and a dartboard. Good quality bar food. Good drinks. Open 11am until bar time every day.
One of the best music venues in town. Reasonably priced compared to the other music venues in the area.
26 locals recommend
High Noon Saloon
701 E Washington AveOne of the best music venues in town. Reasonably priced compared to the other music venues in the area.
Shopping
Good Style Shop
817 E Johnson StGreat place to buy vintage clothing.
Unique business model...bring in a bag of your gently used old clothes, pay them $20, and come away with a bag of other people's gently used clothes. They also offer wine while you shop. (Right next door!)
Upshift
836 E Johnson StUnique business model...bring in a bag of your gently used old clothes, pay them $20, and come away with a bag of other people's gently used clothes. They also offer wine while you shop. (Right next door!)
Liquor store. The owner's will spoil your dog with treats if you bring him/her in while shopping. :)
15 locals recommend
Cork 'n Bottle
855 E Johnson StLiquor store. The owner's will spoil your dog with treats if you bring him/her in while shopping. :)
Burnie's Rock Shop
901 E Johnson StUnique hand crafted jewelry.
Parks & Nature
Large popular park in downtown Madison. Lots of culture. Sand volleyball court, beach, basketball courts, swing-sets, rentable bicycles, and often live djs.
34 locals recommend
James Madison Park
614 E Gorham StLarge popular park in downtown Madison. Lots of culture. Sand volleyball court, beach, basketball courts, swing-sets, rentable bicycles, and often live djs.
Essentials
Huge selection of food, alcohol, and necessities. Offers a superb hot bar. There is also a restaurant upstairs, kennels for your dog outside if you're on a walk there, and free supervised child care while you shop.
38 locals recommend
Festival Foods
810 E Washington AveHuge selection of food, alcohol, and necessities. Offers a superb hot bar. There is also a restaurant upstairs, kennels for your dog outside if you're on a walk there, and free supervised child care while you shop.
Arts & Culture
Wisconsin State Capitol
2 E Main StOrnate, tours, center of the city, can't miss it!