Guidebook for Madison
Food Scene
Green Owl Cafe
1970 Atwood AveFull vegetarian menu
Heritage Tavern
131 E Mifflin StPork-centric menu featuring farm to table fine dining.
A must when visiting Madison. The classic all Wisconsin Tavern menu. This is the place where you drink Wisconsin's official cocktail, The Old Fashion! Everything on the menu features the best of Wisconsin tavern food and beverages.
86 locals recommend
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney StA must when visiting Madison. The classic all Wisconsin Tavern menu. This is the place where you drink Wisconsin's official cocktail, The Old Fashion! Everything on the menu features the best of Wisconsin tavern food and beverages.
Batch Bakehouse
1402 Williamson StIn our opinion, the best bakery in my Madison.
Tornado Steak House
116 S Hamilton StThe best steak house in Madison! No others compare!
Tempest Oyster Bar
120 E Wilson StSeafood and Key Lime Pie!!!
Sardine
617 Williamson StFine dining seafood restaurant overlooking Lake Monona.
The line of people out the door says it all. Asian cuisine that is awesome!
55 locals recommend
Hạ Long Bay Restaurant
1353 Williamson StThe line of people out the door says it all. Asian cuisine that is awesome!
Laotian cuisine that is incredible. Comfort food that excels in flavor.
14 locals recommend
Lao Laan-Xang Restaurant
1146 Williamson StLaotian cuisine that is incredible. Comfort food that excels in flavor.
Monty's Blue Plate Diner
2089 Atwood AveQuintessential Madison diner.
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. - Madison East
2916 Atwood AveEastside pizza joint! very popular.
The best ORIGINAL pizza in Madison. Soon to be on the Eastside at the Garver Mill.
14 locals recommend
Ian's Pizza on State
100 State StThe best ORIGINAL pizza in Madison. Soon to be on the Eastside at the Garver Mill.
Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery
2827 Atwood AveCupcakes!!!
L'Etoile
1 S Pinckney StFine dining at its truly finest!
Harvest
21 North Pinckney StreetMadison original! Fine dining on the Capitol square.
Great dive bar serving great food. The Prime Rib is so good and very popular Friday Fish Fry!
6 locals recommend
Brothers Three Bar & Grill
614 N Fair Oaks AveGreat dive bar serving great food. The Prime Rib is so good and very popular Friday Fish Fry!
Fat Jacks Barbecue
6207 Monona DrOur GO TO BBQ joint.
The only true Old World cheese shop in Madison located on the Capitol Square.
14 locals recommend
Fromagination
12 S Carroll StThe only true Old World cheese shop in Madison located on the Capitol Square.
Ian's Pizza Garver
3241 Garver GreenGreat original pizza in a historic building
Mint Mark
1929 Winnebago StHighly recommended
Eno Vino Downtown
1 N Webster StIan's Pizza Garver
3241 Garver GreenBeef Butter BBQ
3001 N Sherman AveLittle Tibet Madison
827 East Johnson StreetDrinks & Nightlife
Tacos, Tacos, Tacos!!!!The best Tavern in the neighborhood!
The BEST Karaoke on Saturdays even if you do not like Karaoke. Music throughout the week. The Ohio Tavern always supports local social justice and activism. WE LOVE THEM!!!!
12 locals recommend
Ohio Tavern
224 Ohio AveTacos, Tacos, Tacos!!!!The best Tavern in the neighborhood!
The BEST Karaoke on Saturdays even if you do not like Karaoke. Music throughout the week. The Ohio Tavern always supports local social justice and activism. WE LOVE THEM!!!!
Great music, great food and the neighborhood gathering place. The walnut burgers is so good and the pizza is awesome. We love the hot potato chips with blue cheese!
21 locals recommend
Harmony Bar & Grill
2201 Atwood AveGreat music, great food and the neighborhood gathering place. The walnut burgers is so good and the pizza is awesome. We love the hot potato chips with blue cheese!
Wilson's Bar
2144 Atwood AveSports bar open 365 days a year and great bar food.
One Barrel Brewing Company
2001 Atwood AveConsistently voted Madison's best brewery!
BarleyPop Tap & Shop
2045 Atwood AveBeer and beer supplies
Shamrock Bar & Grille
117 W Main StThe best damn GAY tavern in the world!
FIVE Nightclub
5 Applegate CtGay dance club. Everyone goes to Five to dance their ass off! Everybody!
A Willy street institution. Go get your drink on while listening to great music.
16 locals recommend
Crystal Corner Bar
1302 Williamson StA Willy street institution. Go get your drink on while listening to great music.
This is where Madisonians go to binge drink, people watch and hang out. Buy a regular a shot and you are family. Be aware the entire bar is full of regulars!
19 locals recommend
Genna's Lounge
105 W Main StThis is where Madisonians go to binge drink, people watch and hang out. Buy a regular a shot and you are family. Be aware the entire bar is full of regulars!
New Glarus Brewing Company
2400 WI-69Worth the drive, scenery and beer!
The only open air Beirgarten overlooking Lake Monona
20 locals recommend
The Biergarten at Olbrich Park
3527 Atwood AveThe only open air Beirgarten overlooking Lake Monona
Old Sugar Distillery
931 E Main StOne Barrel Brewing Company
2001 Atwood AveWorking Draft Beer Company
1129 E Wilson StNew Glarus Brewing Company
2400 WI-69Capital Brewery
7734 Terrace AveDelta Beer Lab
167 E Badger RdShopping
The best locally owned grocery store in Madison and its only a few blocks away. Great Wisconsin organic produce, meat counter and the friendliest staff around!
28 locals recommend
Jenifer Street Market
2038 Jenifer StThe best locally owned grocery store in Madison and its only a few blocks away. Great Wisconsin organic produce, meat counter and the friendliest staff around!
State Street connects the Wisconsin State Capitol to the University of Wisconsin. Great for outdoor dining, shopping, coffee, strolling, drinking, people watching and getting a feel for the Madison vibe. Great street musicians and entertainers.
111 locals recommend
State Street
State StreetState Street connects the Wisconsin State Capitol to the University of Wisconsin. Great for outdoor dining, shopping, coffee, strolling, drinking, people watching and getting a feel for the Madison vibe. Great street musicians and entertainers.
Hilldale Shopping Center
726 N Midvale BlvdEast Towne Mall
89 E Towne WayWest Towne Mall
66 W Towne MallMonroe Street
Monroe StreetAtwood Avenue
Atwood AvenueSightseeing
The heart of Wisconsin's politics. Beautiful architecture and history. Finally it is Walker free!
141 locals recommend
Wisconsin State Capitol
2 E Main StThe heart of Wisconsin's politics. Beautiful architecture and history. Finally it is Walker free!
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens is just a few minutes away. Beautifully manicured gardens, sculptures and the United Sates only Thai Pavilion. In 2013 our own gardens where featured in Olbrich Gardens garden walk fundraiser.
138 locals recommend
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood AveThe Olbrich Botanical Gardens is just a few minutes away. Beautifully manicured gardens, sculptures and the United Sates only Thai Pavilion. In 2013 our own gardens where featured in Olbrich Gardens garden walk fundraiser.
World renowned Farmers Market encompassing the entire Capitol Square. Open on Saturdays mornings from April through November. Get there early for the best selections. The crowds can be huge! Mini market on Wednesdays on Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD.
93 locals recommend
Dane County Farmers Market
3241 Martin Luther King Jr BlvdWorld renowned Farmers Market encompassing the entire Capitol Square. Open on Saturdays mornings from April through November. Get there early for the best selections. The crowds can be huge! Mini market on Wednesdays on Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD.
The University of Wisconsin is home of the Wisconsin Badgers. This campus is huge. The architecture, history and beauty is breathtaking. Built along the lake shore of Lake Mendota it sprawls for miles.
45 locals recommend
University of Wisconsin - Madison
The University of Wisconsin is home of the Wisconsin Badgers. This campus is huge. The architecture, history and beauty is breathtaking. Built along the lake shore of Lake Mendota it sprawls for miles.
EVERYBODY hangs out at the Union. This is the place to people watch, drink a beer, eat a brat and listen to music. Overlooking Lake Mendota. The Union is the heartbeat of the University of Wisconsin.
122 locals recommend
Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon StEVERYBODY hangs out at the Union. This is the place to people watch, drink a beer, eat a brat and listen to music. Overlooking Lake Mendota. The Union is the heartbeat of the University of Wisconsin.
Take the Ferry across Lake Wisconsin to the quaint Village of Merrimac. Have an ice cream cone and then continue to Devils Lake State Park.
Merrimac Free Ferry
Take the Ferry across Lake Wisconsin to the quaint Village of Merrimac. Have an ice cream cone and then continue to Devils Lake State Park.
Madison Children's Museum
100 N Hamilton StNew Glarus
Parks & Nature
Olbrich Park Beach
3527 Atwood AveJust minutes away. Large park space along Lake Monona.
This is a beautiful 1 mile hike in the heart of the University of Wisconsin.
55 locals recommend
Picnic Point
2000 University Bay DrThis is a beautiful 1 mile hike in the heart of the University of Wisconsin.
Governor Nelson State Park
5140 Co Hwy MNestled along the north shore of Lake Mendota.
Amazing crystal clear lake and jaw dropping scenery. Hiking, biking, sunbathing, picnicing, swimming and canoeing. Take the Merrimac Ferry acrossed Lake Wisconsin just to add to the experience.
120 locals recommend
Devil's Lake State Park
S5975 Park RdAmazing crystal clear lake and jaw dropping scenery. Hiking, biking, sunbathing, picnicing, swimming and canoeing. Take the Merrimac Ferry acrossed Lake Wisconsin just to add to the experience.
Its hard to find but worth the hunt. Located by Devils Lake State Park. Amazing nature and beauty!
27 locals recommend
Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area
1377 County Rd DLIts hard to find but worth the hunt. Located by Devils Lake State Park. Amazing nature and beauty!
Arts & Culture
The epicenter of entertainment and culture in Madison.
83 locals recommend
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State StThe epicenter of entertainment and culture in Madison.
Madisons largest art gallery located in the heart of the University of Wisconsin.
73 locals recommend
Chazen Museum of Art
800 University AveMadisons largest art gallery located in the heart of the University of Wisconsin.
Entertainment & Activities
Barrymore Theatre
2090 Atwood AveNational music and comedy acts just a few blocks away
Historical theater featuring National and International music, comedy and lectures. Located on State Street
24 locals recommend
Orpheum Theater
216 State StHistorical theater featuring National and International music, comedy and lectures. Located on State Street
The music venue is new and features, local, national and international acts.
12 locals recommend
The Sylvee
25 S Livingston StThe music venue is new and features, local, national and international acts.
Home of the Madison Radicals National Champion Ultimate Frisbee team. New home of the Madison Forward professional soccer team. Breese Stevens field also hosts many world renouned music acts and a multitude of local festivals
15 locals recommend
Breese Stevens Field
917 E Mifflin StHome of the Madison Radicals National Champion Ultimate Frisbee team. New home of the Madison Forward professional soccer team. Breese Stevens field also hosts many world renouned music acts and a multitude of local festivals
Home of the University of Wisconsin Badgers football
61 locals recommend
Camp Randall Stadium University of Wisconsin
1440 Monroe StHome of the University of Wisconsin Badgers football
Home of the University of Wisconsin mens and womens basketball teams, mens hockey team and world renouned music acts.
10 locals recommend
The Kohl Center
601 West Dayton StreetHome of the University of Wisconsin mens and womens basketball teams, mens hockey team and world renouned music acts.
Home of the University of Wisconsin Volleyball team. Reigning National Champions
Wisconsin Field House
1450 Monroe StHome of the University of Wisconsin Volleyball team. Reigning National Champions
Home of the University of Wisconsin womens hockey team. They are always a National Champion contender!
LaBahn Arena
105 E Campus MallHome of the University of Wisconsin womens hockey team. They are always a National Champion contender!
Alliant Energy Center Way
Alliant Energy Center WayHome of the Worlds Largest Bratfest! They do everything!
Garver Feed Mill
3241 Garver Green