Madison's Culinary Culture

Madison is where food scientists, producers, brewers, distillers, makers and chefs intersect to create culinary stories that are incredible, inclusive, ownable and sustainable. There’s the chef who started a side hustle raising pigs prized for their flavor and a farm family who worked with UW–Madison to repropagate an heirloom corn variety in their quest to create a one-of-a-kind bourbon. Plus, our g lobal fare is beyond compare for a city of our size, from West African to Korean, Jamaican to Peruvian.

No matter how many times you've tried Madison's food, there's always something new, with rotating menus and specials that draw from what's in season. It's time to find your new favorite restaurant in Madison.

You can shop fresh from local farmers seven days a week in Madison and surrounding communities, just like many of our award-winning chefs!

Where farm to table began

You never know who you will run into at the Dane County Farmers' Market. The market on the Capitol Square every Saturday is the largest producer-only market in the U.S. It hosts 130+ vendors weekly (a total of 220 annually) who grow, produce or make their own goods. Many local chefs shop the farmers' market in the morning for ingredients featured on that evening’s menu. In Madison, you can even enjoy the market all year long by also attending the Holiday Market at Monona Terrace and Late Winter Market at Garver Feed Mill.

Cheers to our world-class craft beverage scene

Becoming one of the 5 Best Drinking Cities in the World doesn't happen overnight. Our craft beverage scene began with breweries but has expanded to include wineries, cideries and distilleries that create some of the best grain- or grape-to-glass drinks you've ever had. Beyond the makers, you'll find bars throughout the city that take handcrafted approaches to making innovative cocktails you can't find anywhere else.

Don't drink alcohol? This scene is still for you. There's no shortage of mocktail and NA beverages in Madison, helping make us #1 in 100 Best U.S. Cities for Living Sober.

Don't forget the cheese

We share our deep love for cheese with the rest of the state. But what makes us different? The cheese in Madison is elevated, crafted by mongers and charcuterie mavens who curate complementary flavors that honor the classics and challenge the norms. Madison is a great tapestry of cheese curds, ranging from squeaky to beer-battered. They're everyone's favorite start to a meal and souvenir to take home.