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Where to eat
Avenue Bar Friday night fish fries have drawn patrons here since the 1970s. (608) 257-6877; avenuebarmadison.com
Babcock Hall Dairy Store The public face of the UW’s food sciences program, this parlor sells campus-made ice cream. (608) 262-3045; babcockhalldairystore.wisc.edu
Bluephies Restaurant and Vodkatorium What’s not to love about a hip place that’s family-friendly and offers a vodka flight? Fun dishes include chocolate chip cookie dough egg rolls. Read Midwest Living’s review. (608) 231-3663; bluephies.com
Glass Nickel While you're noshing on the best-selling Fetalicious pizza, with its tender mushrooms, fresh spinach, tomatoes and crumbled feta, sip a hearty Scottish ale or peppery Cabernet and enjoy the restaurant's Bohemian-chic decor. Read Midwest Living’s review. (608) 245-0880; glassnickelpizza.com
Harvest The menu follows the seasons at this upscale favorite. Check the website for themed monthly Sunday dinners. (608) 255-6075; harvest-restaurant.com
Ian's Pizza This eatery on State Street cemented its reputation selling pizza by the slice (and opened satellite shops in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood and in Milwaukee). Patrons gobble up its top-selling mac 'n' cheese pizza. Read Midwest Living's review. (608) 257-9248; ianspizza.com
L’Etoile This fine dining is about as fine as it gets. A mere canapé of rosemary shortbread with raspberry crème fraîche and chives made us swoon. Read Midwest Living’s review. (608) 251-0500; letoile-restaurant.com
Mickey's Tavern Follow locals to this slightly worn gem. Housed in a 1902 flatiron building, Mickey's features a retro bar, living room-style dining areas and a spacious patio. Try the Sexy Fries—potato wedges tossed in white truffle dressing and sprinkled with Parmesan and red pepper flakes—and the mac 'n' cheese bathed in melted smoked Gouda. Read Midwest Living’s review. (608) 251-9964
Monty’s Blue Plate Diner An updated diner, it serves breakfast all day and excellent vegetarian options far beyond the tofu burger. (608) 244-8505; montysblueplatediner.com
The Old Fashioned Tavern and Restaurant This take on a classic supper club balances retro (Friday fish fries) and chic (artisan cheese flights). Read Midwest Living’s review. (608) 310-4545; theoldfashioned.com
Quivey’s Grove Housed in structures from the mid-1800s, this restaurant on the city’s outskirts is an elegant celebration of Wisconsin. Read Midwest Living’s review. (608) 273-4900; quiveysgrove.com
Sunroom Cafe The brunch menu has a range of omelets and scramblers, plus whole wheat pancakes to keep Madison’s granola reputation intact. (608) 255-1555; sunroomcafe.com
Weary Traveler Freehouse Bob’s Bad Breath Burger (made with garlic, onions and cream cheese) is wickedly tasty. Read Midwest Living’s review. (608) 442-6207; wearytravelerfreehouse.com
