Restaurants

Places to Dine in Madison, WI

Madison is the perfect place to visit if you love to dine! The restaurants in Madison, Wisconsin offer an eclectic mix of menus—from exotic world flavors to supper club cuisine—and everything in between! Visit our restaurant search page to discover details about all of our area restaurants. Or, see all restaurants at a glance using our recently updated Central Restaurants and Greater Madison Restaurants maps.


Don't-Miss Dining
From outdoor dining to Farmers' Market fare, the summer season is an amazing time to dine in Madison! Read on to discover details about all of your culinary choices:


Outdoor Dining
If setting is just as important as savoring a good meal, you'll want to explore Madison's many outdoor dining destinations. From the rooftop restaurant at Fresco to street-level cafes such as Ancora Coffee on King, the mix of menu items and people-watching make every eating experience memorable.

Of course, you won't want to miss waterfront dining during the summer. From the Nau-ti-Gal located on the water in Westport to Bourbon Street Grille on the Yahara River, you'll enjoy fresh food and fun at every single one!


Farmers Market Fare
One of Madison's many claims to fame is that it plays host to the nation's largest producers-only farmers' market. Every Saturday, there's a chance to shop seasonal items—from fruits and vegetables to cheeses, meats and more—at the Dane County Farmers' Market. Farm-to-table fare continues to be a top trend so you'll often see local chefs shopping for seasonal and sustainable offerings that are prepared and served that same day at local restaurants, from fine dining destinations to corner food carts.

The Hilldale Farmers' Market is also open on Saturdays (and Wednesdays!) and offers another way to enjoy farm-fresh produce, baked goods, maple syrup and more. Located in the Hilldale Shopping Center parking lot.

Madison Originals
Madison even has its own not-for-profit association of independently-owned restaurants and affiliated businesses called Madison Originals. As part of its mission to promote unique local dining establishments, Madison Originals hosts the annual Flavors of Madison event as well as a robust Gift Certificate program. Learn more about which restaurants are included and how to bring home Discount Gift Certificates and Group Gift Certificates.