Guidebook for Madison
Food Scene
This Thai and Vietnamese restaurant can’t be beat for convenience – it’s just across the street! They do a great job with a huge menu.
Ha Long Bay Vietnamese and Thai Bistro
This Thai and Vietnamese restaurant can’t be beat for convenience – it’s just across the street! They do a great job with a huge menu.
This comfortable, quirky place is a fun place to go for breakfast. Their scones are phenomenal, and they have good coffee.
33 locals recommend
Lazy Jane's Cafe and Bakery
1358 Williamson StThis comfortable, quirky place is a fun place to go for breakfast. Their scones are phenomenal, and they have good coffee.
Ace Hardware Center
1398 Williamson StJamaican food on Willy Street
This place has good, fair-trade coffee, a funky, Willy Street feel, and rather spotty internet access.
8 locals recommend
Mother Fool's Coffeehouse
1101 Williamson StThis place has good, fair-trade coffee, a funky, Willy Street feel, and rather spotty internet access.
This place definitely has the best bread in town - and I am super picky about my bread! They also have a nice breakfast and lunch menu, great lighting, good coffee, and solid wifi.
35 locals recommend
Madison Sourdough
916 Williamson StThis place definitely has the best bread in town - and I am super picky about my bread! They also have a nice breakfast and lunch menu, great lighting, good coffee, and solid wifi.
This pan-Asian place may seem pricey for ramen, but it's great - and the lunch special is a deal. I like the atmosphere here. They'll sub rice noodles for ramen (vegan and gluten-free).
20 locals recommend
Umami Ramen & Dumpling Bar
923 Williamson StreetThis pan-Asian place may seem pricey for ramen, but it's great - and the lunch special is a deal. I like the atmosphere here. They'll sub rice noodles for ramen (vegan and gluten-free).
Natt Spil feels like it belongs in a bigger city, and is a fun place to go at night. They have a small, solid menu and excellent drinks. We like the Three Cup Tofu (or Three Cup Chicken).
23 locals recommend
Natt Spil
211 King StNatt Spil feels like it belongs in a bigger city, and is a fun place to go at night. They have a small, solid menu and excellent drinks. We like the Three Cup Tofu (or Three Cup Chicken).
This is the quintessential Madison experience. Next to the capitol, Old Fashioned has a long, local beer list, the best fried cheese curds, and other Wisconsin food, all from small, local farms.
86 locals recommend
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney StThis is the quintessential Madison experience. Next to the capitol, Old Fashioned has a long, local beer list, the best fried cheese curds, and other Wisconsin food, all from small, local farms.
This Italian restaurant, in the basement of the Italian Worker’s Hall, has the feel of someone’s basement rec-room. The pizza is definitely the best in town.
Greenbush
This Italian restaurant, in the basement of the Italian Worker’s Hall, has the feel of someone’s basement rec-room. The pizza is definitely the best in town.
If you want a very nice night out, Harvest is a critically-acclaimed restaurant serving seasonal food from local farms. Reservations are definitely recommended.
8 locals recommend
Harvest
21 North Pinckney StreetIf you want a very nice night out, Harvest is a critically-acclaimed restaurant serving seasonal food from local farms. Reservations are definitely recommended.
Even fancier and more expensive than Harvest, this French-inspired restaurant has wonderful food, also from local farms. They have a great wine list.
16 locals recommend
L'Etoile
1 S Pinckney StEven fancier and more expensive than Harvest, this French-inspired restaurant has wonderful food, also from local farms. They have a great wine list.
This is the gastro-pub version of L’Etoile - fun for a night out. It's a bit pricey, but is much more affordable than L’Etoile. They have AMAZING croissants in the morning.
56 locals recommend
Graze
1 S Pinckney StThis is the gastro-pub version of L’Etoile - fun for a night out. It's a bit pricey, but is much more affordable than L’Etoile. They have AMAZING croissants in the morning.
This is a great place to spend the day working. They have solid wifi, lots of outlets, and decent food. Start your day there with coffee and finish your day there with a glass of wine!
6 locals recommend
Barriques - West Wash
127 W Washington AveThis is a great place to spend the day working. They have solid wifi, lots of outlets, and decent food. Start your day there with coffee and finish your day there with a glass of wine!
Are you very serious about coffee? This is for you. They have several options of single-origin coffee, always made perfectly. They also have good lighting, large work-spaces, and solid wifi.
34 locals recommend
Johnson Public House
908 E Johnson StAre you very serious about coffee? This is for you. They have several options of single-origin coffee, always made perfectly. They also have good lighting, large work-spaces, and solid wifi.
BEST breakfast in town, hands down. They have very limited seating, a menu that changes by the hour, and they are only open Saturday and Sunday. I would visit Madison if only to eat here.
19 locals recommend
Sophia's Bakery & Cafe
831 E Johnson StBEST breakfast in town, hands down. They have very limited seating, a menu that changes by the hour, and they are only open Saturday and Sunday. I would visit Madison if only to eat here.
Madison's only vegetarian restaurant. Some of their menu items are fabulous, some are just good. I really like the jumbalaya. They also do a good vegetarian version of Wisconsin's Friday Fish Fry.
23 locals recommend
Green Owl Cafe
1970 Atwood AveMadison's only vegetarian restaurant. Some of their menu items are fabulous, some are just good. I really like the jumbalaya. They also do a good vegetarian version of Wisconsin's Friday Fish Fry.
Roman Candle has good, interesting pizza, with many vegetarian and a few vegan options. It's cute, family-friendly, and has good lunch specials.
9 locals recommend
Roman Candle
1054 Williamson StRoman Candle has good, interesting pizza, with many vegetarian and a few vegan options. It's cute, family-friendly, and has good lunch specials.
Cute coffee shop with nice outdoor seating overlooking the bike path and community gardens.
14 locals recommend
Cafe Brittoli
2326 Atwood AveCute coffee shop with nice outdoor seating overlooking the bike path and community gardens.
This greasy spoon diner is open late-night on weekends, so if you are looking for breakfast at 2am, this is your place.
7 locals recommend
Willalby's Cafe
1351 Williamson StThis greasy spoon diner is open late-night on weekends, so if you are looking for breakfast at 2am, this is your place.
Drinks & Nightlife
This bar is just a block away to your right as you leave our house. It feels like a bohemian house inside. They have amazing bloody marys, reasonable diner food, and a solid drink list.
37 locals recommend
Mickey's Tavern
1524 Williamson StThis bar is just a block away to your right as you leave our house. It feels like a bohemian house inside. They have amazing bloody marys, reasonable diner food, and a solid drink list.
This bar on the capitol makes good mixed drinks and has a solid beer list. The atmosphere is sort of hipster, with a crowd averaging 30 years old.
19 locals recommend
Genna's Lounge
105 W Main StThis bar on the capitol makes good mixed drinks and has a solid beer list. The atmosphere is sort of hipster, with a crowd averaging 30 years old.
If you are serious about beer, go to the Malt House. They don’t serve food, but you can have food delivered. It’s not in the most interesting neighborhood – it’s a destination in its own right.
20 locals recommend
The Malt House
2609 E Washington AveIf you are serious about beer, go to the Malt House. They don’t serve food, but you can have food delivered. It’s not in the most interesting neighborhood – it’s a destination in its own right.
Plan B is a great gay and lesbian bar in town - it tends to have a younger crowd.
16 locals recommend
Prism
924 Williamson StPlan B is a great gay and lesbian bar in town - it tends to have a younger crowd.
Crystal Corner Bar
1302 Williamson StThis dive bar is mentioned in an Okkervil River song...
Shopping
This place can be dangerous if you like to shop for kitchen supplies! They have a nice selection of mid- to high-end kitchen and dining supplies.
The Kitchen Gallery
107 King StreetThis place can be dangerous if you like to shop for kitchen supplies! They have a nice selection of mid- to high-end kitchen and dining supplies.
Need a random appliance or furnishing? Or how about some UW football t-shirts or a Halloween costume? St Vinny's has a fast turn-around on clothing, books, records, bikes, and more.
8 locals recommend
St. Vincent De Paul Store
1309 Williamson StNeed a random appliance or furnishing? Or how about some UW football t-shirts or a Halloween costume? St Vinny's has a fast turn-around on clothing, books, records, bikes, and more.
MadCat Pet Supplies
1525 Williamson StA great local pet store.
Everything Else
Weary Traveler Freehouse
1201 Williamson StGet your hair cut here. Or get a tattoo here.
This liquor store has a great beer selection. They have a decent wine selection too, but they are more expensive than some other spots in town. It's very convenient to our apartment.
Star Liquor
1209 Williamson StThis liquor store has a great beer selection. They have a decent wine selection too, but they are more expensive than some other spots in town. It's very convenient to our apartment.
Cronometro
338 W Lakeside StFancy bikes. We like to drool through the windows.
Machinery Row Bicycles
601 Williamson StSolid bike shop.
Walk through the halls to see the location of Wisconsin's famous protests of February 2011 and beyond. The building is a replica of the US capitol building in DC. Look up at the gilded dome ceiling!
Capitol Court
Capitol CourtWalk through the halls to see the location of Wisconsin's famous protests of February 2011 and beyond. The building is a replica of the US capitol building in DC. Look up at the gilded dome ceiling!
Snap Fitness
2045 Atwood AveWe work out here and can bring you as a guest.
Gorgeous building, some good exhibits, and a fancy restaurant on the roof.
51 locals recommend
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
227 State StGorgeous building, some good exhibits, and a fancy restaurant on the roof.
Gotham Bagels
112 E Mifflin StBest bagels in town.
Tenney Park Rink
402 N Thornton AveNice park overlooking the lake. Ice-skating in the winter!
This cute park has a swimming beach and a lifeguard on duty. They even filter out some plant-life from the lake for more comfortable swimming.
Morrison Park
1451 Morrison StThis cute park has a swimming beach and a lifeguard on duty. They even filter out some plant-life from the lake for more comfortable swimming.
Revolution Cycles
2330 Atwood AveFix your fixed-gear bike here.
Midwest Clay Project
78 North Bryan StreetTake a clay/pottery class here.
Brumley's Old Clock Shop
1343 Williamson StHave a broken clock or watch? Get it fixed here.
One of two fabric stores on the street. I'm not much of a sewer, but I hear good things.
Gayfeather Fabrics
One of two fabric stores on the street. I'm not much of a sewer, but I hear good things.
Creative Energy Designs, Inc.
125 S Dickinson StOne of two fabric stores on Willy Street.
Lakeside Press
Printing of all kinds, tends to take on progressive projects.
Essentials
Lower prices than the co-op and an *amazing* beer selection.
28 locals recommend
Jenifer Street Market
2038 Jenifer StLower prices than the co-op and an *amazing* beer selection.
Nature's Bakery Co-Op
1019 Williamson StWe like the bread here for sandwiches. It's the oldest bakery on the block.
This bakery is very close to the house. It's not my favorite of the many within walking distance, but their products always look beautiful.
29 locals recommend
Batch Bakehouse
1402 Williamson StThis bakery is very close to the house. It's not my favorite of the many within walking distance, but their products always look beautiful.
We love the Willy Street Co-Op. You don't have to be a member to shop here. They specialize in local, organic groceries, and have a great sandwich, smoothie, and salad bar.
77 locals recommend
Willy Street Co-op—East
1221 Williamson StWe love the Willy Street Co-Op. You don't have to be a member to shop here. They specialize in local, organic groceries, and have a great sandwich, smoothie, and salad bar.
Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
504 S Brearly StThis is where the Tuesday Farmer's Market happens each week.
Sightseeing
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood AveBeautiful botanical gardens.
This amazing farmers' market spans four city blocks, has very reasonable prices, and is a real Madison experience. We shop here every Saturday. Get there early if you want to avoid the crowds.
93 locals recommend
Dane County Farmers Market
3241 Martin Luther King Jr BlvdThis amazing farmers' market spans four city blocks, has very reasonable prices, and is a real Madison experience. We shop here every Saturday. Get there early if you want to avoid the crowds.