Best Restaurants in Madison

Choose a farm-to-table restaurant in Madison to enjoy fresh flavors and an ever-changing menu. The city of Madison also has a variety of local and national chain restaurants that serve international cuisine. There are restaurants that serve Cicchetti, Mexican, Sicilian, French, Thai, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine. Madison also offers upscale dining at restaurants close to the waterfront and with views of the city's skyline and the Wisconsin State Capitol Building. These fancy restaurants are great places to gather with friends to celebrate an achievement, such as a job promotion, or to mark a milestone like a birthday or wedding anniversary. Many of Madison's best restaurants have received awards and recognition for their menus and customer service. This includes honors from Madison Magazine, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and local and regional news outlets such as the Wisconsin State Journal.

The OpenTable Team

10 Restaurants

Updated January 19, 2022

Restaurants:	D’Vino, Seasons, La Kitchenette…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Contemporary Italian, American, French…
Neighborhoods:	Madison, Wisconsin…

D’Vino

$$$$

Contemporary Italian

Madison

4.7

418 reviews

Dine indoors or outdoors at D'Vino, a wine bar that specializes in Cicchetti food (or dishes from Venice, Italy). Its menu includes a wide selection of appetizers, breads, cheeses, and desserts. The restaurant's specialty, however, is small plates like octopus salad, eggplant strips and mini calzones. A daily entree, such as Sicilian chicken served with potatoes, onions and artichoke hearts, is one of its heartier meals. An extensive selection of sparkling and dessert wines from Italy, France and Switzerland are also served here. One of its specialties, however, is a house-made lemon liqueur that is served over ice as a drink or poured over sorbet to make a sweet dessert. It has a contemporary decor with natural wood chairs, hardwood floors, and chandeliers made from wine bottles. A patio provides seating for dining outdoors. D'Vino was featured in Madison Magazine. It is co-owned by Chefs Hoke and Dino Manciani and opened in 2020.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Seasons

$$$$

American

Wisconsin

4.8

23 reviews

Seasons is just one of the restaurants located at the Capitol Lakes Mix in the heart of Madison. Its menu features healthy cuisine prepared by a culinary team. The menu changes often to feature seasonal ingredients like asparagus, snap peas, arugula, and broccoli. Diners eating at Seasons who have a lighter appetite can select items from its small plate menu such as spring vegetable soup, Thai noodle salad or salt and pepper fries. Finish a meal at Seasons with a satisfying slice of blueberry pie or cheesecake. Each plate is stylishly presented to enhance the fine dining experience. Its decor is also charming and sophisticated. The color scheme is tan and brown with brick accents and white table linens for added elegance.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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La Kitchenette

$$$$

French

Madison

4.9

679 reviews

La Kitchenette is a casual French restaurant in downtown Madison. On its menu are a variety of homestyle dishes such as French toast, crepes, French onion soup, Parisian sandwiches, beef stew, and desserts like its lavender crème brûlée. Grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee or espresso while waiting for a meal. Tuesday night is deemed date night at La Kitchenette. On Tuesdays, couples can enjoy a special meal deal that includes a bottle of wine, two entrees and two desserts. The decor at this French bistro is simple but stylish. Some of its features include cafe-style chairs, a chalkboard menu, rope lights, and a reception desk made out of repurposed wood. Black marble top tables and hanging plants enhance the decor and give the dining room a touch of elegance. This restaurant and its owner, Chef Ok, was recognized in Wisconsin's Brava Magazine. It opened its doors in 2016.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Tex Tubb's Taco Palace

$$$$

Tex-Mex

Madison

4.6

46 reviews

Dine on Southwestern fare at Tex Tubb's Taco Place in eastern Madison, Wisconsin. Its menu includes popular Mexican dishes such as burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and chips served with salsa. A variety of taco recipes with green chile, chicken, pork carnitas, beef brisket, and blackened cod are favorites of many of the locals. Vegetarian tacos such as sweet potato, fried cauliflower with spinach, and fried avocado with black beans are also available. Family-friendly, there is a menu for kids which includes crispy tacos served with waffles or fries. From its bar, diners can order a house-made ginger beer, horchata or a tequila drink (which this restaurant is known for). Keeping with its festive theme, the restaurant's decor features vibrant colors, brick walls, a display of antique toys, retro dining tables (with a distressed finish), and chairs covered in faux leather. On warm weather days, diners can sit outdoors on its patio. This restaurant was named as one of the "3 Best Mexican Restaurants in Madison". It is the second restaurant owned by Chef Tubbs and it has been in operation since 2006.

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Eno Vino Downtown

$$$$

Bistro

Madison

4.7

1836 reviews

Eno Vino is a small plate restaurant in downtown Madison. Located in the AC Hotel, this is a stylish, upscale restaurant where diners can take in great views of the capitol building and the beautiful skyline. Its dramatic decor features contemporary chandeliers, dark wood floors, brown leather benches, and floor-to-ceiling windows. This restaurant also offers outdoor dining. It has an extensive menu with a variety of salads, soups and oven-baked flatbreads (for pizza or sandwiches). When in the sharing mood, there is a cheeseboard served with olives, jam, fruit, and bread. A wide selection of wines, beers and hand-crafted cocktails such as its Purple Rain drink (named in honor of Wisconsin native, Prince) is available from its full-service bar. This restaurant was recognized by Madison Magazine as Madison's Best Wine Bar. It was also noted as one of the best places to get champagne in Madison and is a recipient of the Best of Madison Legacy Award also given by Madison Magazine. Eno Vino Downtown is co-owned by Jose Luis Granados and his partners who launched this restaurant in 2017. Its executive chef, Chef Jed Spink, was featured in the Wisconsin State Journal and was nominated for the coveted title of Best of Madison Local Chef.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Tempest Oyster Bar

$$$$

Seafood

Madison

4.7

1231 reviews

Visit this cozy Madison restaurant located close to the Wisconsin State Capitol building to enjoy an array of fresh seafood dishes. Its nautical-themed dining room is both fun and stylish. Some of its decor highlights include a shell motif, mirrored ship wheels and a large fish sculpture hanging on the wall. To give it a touch of glamour, white leather bar stools, white columns and chandelier lighting are included in the restaurant's dining room space. A custom, backlit bar made from colorful wine bottles is just another special design touch. When weather permits, diners can request to sit outdoors on the patio. Enjoy fresh oysters, shrimp, scallops, mussels, and other seafood at the Tempest Oyster Bar. Entrees like live Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab and Yellowfin tuna are other dining options. On Fridays, Tempest has a regular fish fry with beer-battered fish and fries. From its bar, diners can order a glass or bottle of wine or a beer, or can try one of their house cocktails such as its Captain's Daughter. This restaurant has musical performances on the weekend and hosts a weekday Happy Hour with entertainment and deals on drinks and appetizers. It is owned by Henry Doane and opened in 2011.

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Feast - Artisan Dumpling and Tea House

$$$$

Asian

Madison

4.6

78 reviews

Feast - Artisan Dumpling and Tea House is located in the Willy Street Central Apartment Building close to BB Clarke Beach. With a theme that celebrates Asian culture, its decor features a red and black color scheme accented with Asian mask art sculptures, a cement floor, Oriental artwork, and paper lantern lamps. Some of its menu specialties include handmade dumplings in different varieties. All of its dumplings and buns are house-made using fresh ingredients. Other dishes on the menu include fried fish balls, spicy peanuts, and the mango sago polemo dessert (a chef's favorite). All of the dishes at the Feast are inspired by the owners' childhood memories while growing up in China. Along with dining, Feast - Artisan Dumpling and Tea House is a popular place to converse with friends while sipping on a glass of sake, wine, beer or tea. This is a family-owned and operated restaurant that was established in 2020. Its owners, Mike Wang and Judy Zhu, are a husband and wife team who work side by side in the restaurant daily.

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Everly

$$$$

American

Madison

4.7

909 reviews

Locals can enjoy California cuisine at Everly's in Madison. Open for lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekend, its menu features stylish West Coast dishes like avocado toast, truffle fries, So-Cal grain bowls, a butternut squash rice curry, and a shaved celery salad. It also serves more traditional cuisine such as burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, fried chicken, and pasta bolognese. On Friday nights, Everly hosts a fish fry with beer-battered fish, fries and homemade slaw on its menu. Offering a full-service bar, diners can add a glass of wine, a beer, hard cider, or a stylish cocktail such as its spicy Shirley to their meal. Family-friendly, there is a separate menu for kids which includes burgers with fries or pasta with marinara sauce. Its smart decor includes lots of greenery, contemporary pendant lighting, marble tabletops, and natural wood paneling. This restaurant is owned by the Food Fight Restaurant Group who owns several restaurants in Madison, Chicago and other Midwest cities. It has received the Champion of Restaurant Entrepreneurship (CORE) Award from the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. Its executive chef, Scott Harrell, is a Madison native who has extensive restaurant experience throughout the Midwest. It has been serving Madison since 2016.

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Otto's Restaurant and Bar - Madison

$$$$

Mediterranean

Madison

4.5

1529 reviews

Indulge in Mediterranean and Turkish food at Otto's Restaurant and Bar. Some items on its menu include ricotta stuffed chicken, salmon salad, Moroccan crab cakes, and roasted Chilean sea bass. Locally, Otto's is known for its Friday fish fry where diners can order baked or fried fish, coleslaw, and hashbrowns. To enhance any meal, this restaurant also has a full-service bar with a wide selection of beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails such as a mimosa, bellini, Otto's Manhattan, or a Blue Star martini. With natural wood furniture, a brick front fireplace, faux painted walls, and sconce lighting, its dining room has lots of old-world charm. Cozy and intimate with separate dining spaces, it is a great place to enjoy a romantic dinner with that special someone. This restaurant was nominated for the Fans Choice Award and was voted one of the Top 10 Restaurants by Open Table. Otto's is locally owned and operated and has been open since 1987.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Everyday Kitchen Restaurant & Bar - Madison

$$$$

Contemporary American

Madison

4.5

643 reviews

Diners can enjoy a variety of home-cooked dishes at Everyday Kitchen Restaurant and Bar (established in 2018). Its menu has something for everyone including dishes for vegetarians and meat lovers. The menu also has smaller plates for lighter appetites or sharing such as flatbread pizza, burrata toast or a Wisconsin cheese board. Along with good food, this restaurant serves specialty coffees and teas produced locally. Alcoholic drinks including beer, wine and hard ciders are available from the bar. Its modern exterior is open and welcoming. The dining room has a sleek decor with private bench seating, leather couches, a brick fireplace, and floral wall motif giving it a cozier feel. Taylor Green is the Executive Chef at the Everyday Kitchen Restaurant and Bar. Green is an experienced chef who has over 20 years of restaurant experience.

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