Brunch Spots to Inspire Your Next Trip to Madison

In our opinion, brunch in Madison is always a good idea. Whether you’re gathering with friends, spending time with family or treating a special someone, Madison’s impressive culinary scene means there's no shortage of standout brunch spots. From classic diner favorites to inventive dishes you can't find anywhere else, vegan-friendly menus or gluten-free options, these Madison restaurants are sure to satisfy your brunchy cravings. 

Looking for more? Find our full list of restaurants in Madison.

Jump around to explore brunch by region

• Downtown
• East
• West

Downtown Dining 

With dozens of delicious restaurants in downtown Madison, we're spoiled with delicious brunch options.

Ancora Cafe & Bakery
Ancora Cafe & Bakery on King Street (along with three other locations in the Greater Madison area) serves up creative brunch dishes seven days a week, offering vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly options. Try a breakfast sandwich like the Hella Stella, served on a famous Stella's Hot & Spicy roll or an elevated breakfast classic like their Key Lime French Toast. With seasonal drink menus, their locally roasted coffee and expertly pulled espresso will not disappoint the morning coffee craving. (GF, V, VG)

Bassett Street Brunch Club
Serving brunch every day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Bassett Street Brunch Club offers an impressive menu. Some of our favorites include sweet options like the Cinnamon Roll French Toast and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, as well as savory dishes like the Empire Hash and Hot to Tot Burrito (filled with, you guessed it, tater tots). The menu offers many gluten-sensitive and vegan options (sub scrambled tofu for eggs in many dishes). Donut lovers, rejoice! Bassett Street has some of the best. But get there early, because they sell out. (GS, V, VG)

Cento
We love Cento for dinner, but nothing gets us more excited than their Boozy Brunch. Dig into an assorted pastry basket (so good!), any brunch, lunch or pizza entrée, two brunch cocktails and bottomless tea or coffee for only $35 per person. Special shoutout to entrée options like the Cacio e Pepe Biscuits and Gravy and the Breakfast Pizza (featuring a delicious hollandaise sauce). The Lemon Capri cocktail (made with house limoncello and espresso) is next level. (GF, V)

Marigold Kitchen
A Pinckney Street classic, Marigold Kitchen serves brunch all day on the weekends. Classics like pancakes, French toast and omelets alongside unique dishes like the Three Grain & Tempeh Bowl and Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale, & Pesto Hash make this menu well-balanced and delicious. Vegan options (like the tofu scramble) and gluten-free options (like the chilaquiles) make this a phenomenal brunch spot for the whole family. (GF, V, VG)

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East Side Eats

The east and near-east sides of Madison are full of brunch spots you've gotta try.

Bar Corallini
Bar Corallini not only serves their authentic Italian dishes for dinner, but they also offer a weekend brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. With brunch-themed items like their Atwood Avocado Toast or Uovo Con Verdure (featuring a thyme hollandaise sauce), along with your favorite pizza and pasta classics, their dishes (all made from scratch daily) are ones you won't want to miss. With gluten-sensitive options, plus a dedicated vegan menu, everyone will be satisfied with their meal here. And don't miss out on their specialty brunch cocktails! (GS, V, VG)

Mint Mark
Mint Mark is a James Beard-nominated restaurant that brings a fresh, seasonal approach to your classic brunch. Their seasonal weekend brunch menu highlights creative dishes made with local ingredients, including standout options like Chilaquiles, Egg in Purgatory and Biscuits & Gravy. And don't leave out the delicious side dishes, which include Calabrian Potatoes and their Cinnamon Roll (served warm with brown butter cream cheese glaze). Pair your fare with a well-crafted brunch cocktail and enjoy an elevated, yet relaxing dining experience. (GF, V, VG)

Monty's Blue Plate Diner
A local favorite in the Atwood neighborhood is Monty’s Blue Plate Diner, a classic diner serving breakfast and lunch options all day long. Serving diner classics like milkshakes, pies, biscuits and gravy, scrambles and pancakes, Monty's elevates their menu with dishes like Smoked Salmon Hash and Vegan Banana Walnut Pancakes. With a fully dedicated vegan menu, gluten-sensitive options and choices for eating dairy free (including dairy-free milkshakes), the whole group will be able to find something to enjoy! (GS, V, VG)

Tip Top Tavern
Tip Top Tavern, known for their comfort-focused menu, is a go-to spot for brunch in Madison. The brunch menu is offered on weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes hearty classics like omelets, hash dishes, biscuits and gravy, and more (plus a variety of vegetarian options). If you're looking for a spot with a classic Wisconsin tavern feel, comfortable eats and tasty breakfast cocktails, this is the place to be! (GS, V)

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West Side Brunchin'

Cafe Hollander
Located at the popular Hilldale Shopping Center, Cafe Hollander is a European-style grand cafe offering breakfast every day until 11 a.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. on weekends. With an expansive menu, including a kids' brunch menu, the whole family will be happy with this choice. No matter what you choose as your entree, we have to recommend beginning your meal with the Oliebollen starters (traditional Dutch treats similar to doughnut holes). Along with many vegetarian options on the menu, Cafe Hollander offers a menu dedicated to gluten-free dishes! (GF, V, VG)

Gates & Brovi
​Enjoy brunch on Monroe Street at Gates & Brovi, where a Wisconsin-style tavern meets an East Coast, Italian-style fish house. Offering a weekend brunch menu, created by James Beard semi-finalist chefs, you can enjoy a good ole' breakfast from the griddle as well as oysters and other fish-y takes on classic brunchy dishes. If you opt for sweet dishes in the morning, try their Toasted Seared Blueberry + Walnut Muffin or French Toast with Door County cherries. For the savory brunch fans, the creative scramblers or breakfast plates like the Shrimp Cake Eggs Benedict are must-trys! (GS, V)

La Brioche True Food
The most elegant tea sets, delicious French-style dishes and famous morning buns form the foundation of La Brioche’s breakfasts, and it’s a flavorful foundation. Crepes complete with fresh berries, ricotta cheese, berry coulis and crème anglaise. Eggs Benedict. Mushroom & Pancetta Scramble. These dishes are unique and delicious. La Brioche has an expansive bakery menu and an equally delicious lunch menu, so there’s no wrong time to stop by! (GF, V)

Yola's Cafe
Yola's Cafe is an uplifting coffee shop cafe offering brunch Monday through Saturday. Providing an oasis of calm, you're guaranteed a wonderful start to your day with coffee, homemade baked goods and fresh breakfast dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. The menu offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options as well as a section just for kids. If you're a fan of waffles, you're in the right place at Yola's. Known for their Signature Golden Malted Belgian Waffles, stop in on Wednesdays when waffles are $1 off with a drink purchase. (GF, V)

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*GF: Gluten Free, V: Vegetarian, VG: Vegan

More Brunch-spiration

No matter where you brunch in Madison, it’s sure to be good. For even more food-spiration, follow @DestinationMadison on Instagram and TikTok or check out Madison's Iconic Eats Experience, where you'll find the most iconic food in the capital city.

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