Capitol Square
BelAir Cantina Photo by Sharon Vanorny
Ancora Cafe & Bakery
Did someone say brunch? Ancora Café & Bakery on King Street serves up sweet and savory selections all day. Enjoy an egg sammie or churro French toast on their parking-turned-streatery patio, with a prime view of the State Capitol.
BelAir Cantina
It’s always Taco Tuesday at BelAir Cantina. Their sunny patio is the perfect spot to enjoy BelAir’s Californian-style Mexican food— amazing tacos, burritos and a trio of salsas. Try their weekday happy hour, $2 tacos Tuesday and Thursday and extended weekend brunch menu.
Rare Steakhouse
Looking for a classic American steakhouse with a local twist? Try the spacious, semi-covered patio at Rare Steakhouse. With an unbeatable happy hour (half-priced bar menu), USDA Prime steaks aged in-house and sommelier-guided wine selections, you’re sure to enjoy a premier dining experience.
The Rigby Pub
The Rigby patio is an ideal spot to relax with a pint and pub fare. As part of the E. Main Streatery, they’re tucked just off the Capitol Square, with plenty of people-watching opportunities. Try one of their 14 rotating taps, famous infusion cocktails and nightly food specials.
State Street & Campus
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry
Cento
Pizza, pasta and prosecco await you at Cento. Enjoy locally sourced, authentic Italian cuisine on their patio, just one block off the Capitol Square and State Street. Brunch more your speed? Try their boozy brunch on Sundays that includes pastries, brunch cocktails, and coffee or tea.
Ian's Pizza on State
Home of the Mac ‘n Cheese pizza is also home to a spacious patio at the top of State Street. Ian’s Pizza serves up pizza by the slice, showcasing upwards of two dozen different varieties. Did you know they also offer some of the best and most unique salads in town? We suggest starting with the Wisco.
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry
Voted Best Burger in Madison 40 years in a row, Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry offers a roomy patio to devour a Melting Pot burger (their best seller!) and down a pint of locally- brewed beer. Situated in the heart of campus, Dotty’s is also a great place to catch up with the Badger student in your life.
Memorial Union Terrace
Summertime in Madison isn’t the same without a trip to the Memorial Union Terrace, known for its iconic sunburst chairs and Instagram-worthy sunset views. Cool off lakeside with a scoop of Babcock Dairy ice cream or a pint of Spotted Cow.
North
Ale Asylum Photo by Phine Tuned Photography
Ale Asylum
Take a seat and sip some suds on the Ale Asylum patio, open Wednesday through Sunday. Hungry? They’ve got some amazingly creative apps, salads and sandwiches on the menu. Their Fish Fryday is very popular, too.
Banzo
Sometimes all you need are good friends and falafel. Make Banzo your next meet-up, where you can enjoy award-winning falafel and freshly made Mediterranean dishes on the spacious patio. Their brightly colored building is hard to miss!
The Lone Girl Brewing Co.
Enjoy a craft beer and delicious pub food on the expansive rooftop deck of The Lone Girl Brewing Co. in Waunakee. Friday nights during the summer mean live music, with firepits if it gets chilly. And for Sunday Fundays, it’s bingo, brunch cocktails, and beer.
Mariner's Inn
On Lake Mendota’s north shore, Mariner’s Inn is known for its waterfront dining and superb steaks and seafood. Arrive by land or water to dine on their patio — the perfect place to watch boats roll in and the sun set. Stop by on Saturday evenings for their “Live on the Lawn” summer music series.
East
Monty's Blue Plate Diner Photo by Timothy Hughes
The Biergarten at Olbrich Park
It’s hard to beat views of Lake Monona and downtown Madison, especially with a stein in hand at The Biergarten at Olbrich Park. Open daily, the Biergarten’s menu includes a list of craft beer, cider and seltzer plus locally-sourced snacks like a giant pretzel from Clasen’s European Bakery. Prost! Dog friendly. Bring a blanket or camping chair, or pull up on a traditional long table.
Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery
An east side favorite, Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (and of course, cupcakes!) all day. Their large parking lot has been replaced with patio tables, and plenty of space for all – including your favorite furry pal. Dogs on the patio get free bacon, so as you’re enjoying a fresh-baked cupcake, you don’t have to be the only one with the treat.
Garver Feed Mill
Grab a spot on the Garver Feed Mill patio any time of day. Located behind Olbrich Gardens and along the Capital City Trail, Garver is home to local producers like Ian’s Pizza and Ledger Coffee Roasters. Make it a night with outdoor live music and a cocktail from the Garver Lounge.
Monty's Blue Plate Diner
Breakfast all day, every day. If that’s your motto, Monty’s Blue Plate Diner is the place for you. The retro, repurposed gas station also serves up burgers, sandwiches, salads, vegetarian and vegan selections. Cool off on the patio with a sundae, shake or ice cream cocktail. Small patio with plenty of action on Atwood Street.
South
Funk Factory Geuzeria
Buck & Honey's Monona
Sit along the banks of the Yahara River and enjoy the upscale-casual atmosphere of Buck & Honey’s Monona. Accessible to bikers, boaters and everything in between, their two spacious patios offer the idyllic spot for a craft cocktail and their famous firecracker shrimp.
Funk Factory Geuzeria
Excite your tastebuds with a traditional Lambic beer at Funk Factory Geuzeria on Madison’s south side. Meerts, is the flagship drink on tap — a sour beer that shares many qualities with wine. Grab a glass of this fruity, tart and crisp refresher to sip at a picnic table out on their patio. Two patio spaces. Toss frisbee. There’s usually a food cart pop up, too!
Off Broadway Drafthouse
With 24 craft beers on tap, it’s easy to find a cold brew to drink on a nice day at Off Broadway Drafthouse. The menu includes thoughtfully sourced food with traditional Friday Fish Fry and weekend breakfast. Their open-air patio offers a great view of one of the community’s colorful murals, the Monona Mural.
Quivey's Grove
Dine in the gardens next to two historic buildings at Quivey’s Grove. The Paddock tent is picture-perfect for an al fresco evening. Or choose to enjoy a glass of wine on the Stone House Patio. For dinner, we recommend their famous Friday fish and a brandy old fashioned.
Near West
bartaco
Bartaco
Coastal vibes meet craft cocktails and tasty tacos at bartaco. No towel, cooler or umbrella needed to feel like you’re on a beach here — sunscreen still recommended. Located at Hilldale Shopping Center, bartaco’s patio is an ideal spot to relax and recharge for your next shopping spree.
Brasserie V
A casual neighborhood eatery with European flair, Brasserie V boasts 300 world-class craft beers and 30 wines! Grab a seat outside and order a drink and their famous frites. The restaurant has a back patio as well as a few tables out front for a view of Monroe Street.
Café Hollander
On Sundays we brunch. Saturdays too, at Café Hollander located at Hilldale Shopping Center. Serving up amazing bloody marys alongside Belgian beers and an extensive food menu sure to satisfy any mid-morning craving. The European café culture extends to their first floor and rooftop patios, and the open-air dining options available year-round.
Everyday Kitchen
Wisconsin comfort food takes on a new meaning at Everyday Kitchen. Just minutes from Hilldale, and right on the bike path, their large, open-air patio is the perfect place for your next meal. Step up your date night with two starters, two entrees and a shared dessert, available every Thursday.
Far West/Middleton
Middleton's Stone Horse Green by Sarah Soldat
Capital Brewery
Sip German-style brews at one of Wisconsin’s original craft breweries, Capital Brewery. Their outdoor Bier Garten, affectionately known as “Middleton’s Backyard,” welcomes guests (and even well-behaved pups) from April through October for live music, camaraderie and award-winning beers.
Longtable Beer Café
Beer connoisseurs and foodies alike should flock to Longtable Beer Café. Pick out a brew from their self-serve cooler, pair it with house-smoked BBQ and Belgian-style frites and pop a seat on their patio. If it’s busy on the patio, the Stone Horse Green right across the street offers plenty of seating to picnic.
Otto's Restaurant & Bar
The “Cheers” of the west side. Otto’s Restaurant & Bar is in a historic brick farmhouse and their wooded deck is a popular warm-weather spot. Reserve your seat for dinner during their weeknight night live music series and graze on upscale Mediterranean fare while sipping a classic cocktail.
Yola’s Café
Try the best waffles in Wisconsin. Yola’s Café on Madison’s west side serves up breakfast all day and cozy patio seating for the whole family to enjoy. Their Waffle of the Month concoctions taste sweeter, knowing that a portion of the proceeds goes to local non-profit organizations each month.
Surrounding Communities
Vintage Brewing Company's outdoor patio in Sauk Prairie
Bailey's Run Vineyard in New Glarus
Rolling hills. Wood-fired pizza. Wisconsin wine. What more could you need? Sit back and relax with a glass of vino on the expansive patio at Bailey’s Run Vineyard. Known as the place “Where Wine Goes to Have Fun,” this dog-friendly spot offers Neapolitan brick oven pizza every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Full Mile Beer Co. & Kitchen in Sun Prairie
Small batch brews in the heart of downtown Sun Prairie, Full Mile Beer Co. & Kitchen crafts beers to accent and compliment their comfort-food-with-a-twist menu. They don’t take reservations so plan accordingly when looking to soak in the sunshine on their wrap-around patio.
Sugar River Pizza Company in Verona
With names like “Maple My Bacon” and “Ricotta Be Kiddin’ Me,” it’s hard not to be intrigued by Sugar River Pizza Company - Verona. Boasting over 20 specialty pizzas — and a plethora of other menu items — you and your family can enjoy a slice or two next to a fire table on their covered patio.
Vintage Brewing Co. in Sauk Prairie
Best beer garden view? Vintage Brewing Co. Sauk Prairie has it. Situated along the Wisconsin River, this brewpub features two outdoor areas — one for dining, the other for drinking. The Beer Garden is spacious for hanging with friends and enjoying locally made craft beer. Bring your pup too, they’re allowed on a leash and can order from the “Dog Menu” if they get hungry.
