Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Madison

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Madison? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Villa Dolce

4.9

4.9 (658)

$30 and under

Italian

Middleton

About the restaurant

A modern Italian cafe in the heart of downtown historic Middleton. With a contemporary vibe this fusion Italian gem features unique topping gourmet pizzas, handmade pasta and famous Gelato.

Top review

Cathy

Dined 7 days ago

Exceptional experience in every category, as usual.

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Popular dish

Meat Lovers

Eno Vino Downtown

4.8

4.8 (2265)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Madison

About the restaurant

Eno Vino Wine Bar & Bistro Voted "Madison's Best Wine Bar" By Madison Magazine Readers, consistently over the years. Eno Vino offers 200+ wines by the bottle & another 45 by the glass. From the beginning, Eno Vino was established as a place to share great wine, sensational, hand-crafted cocktails and fresh, inviting food. Whether you would like to entertain friends, enjoy an evening out with a loved one or unwind during happy hour ~ we invite you to enjoy an evening at Eno Vino.

**Please note**
For outdoor terrace reservations- Please call the restaurant at 608-455-0663.
All guests must be 21 years of age to drink alcohol, regardless of parental accompaniment.

Top review

Paige

Dined 4 days ago

it was fire so bombbbbbbbbb - 10/10 willl go back

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro

4.8

4.8 (1027)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Madison

About the restaurant

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro is located on the banks of the Sugar River in Paoli, WI. The Schoolhouse was built in 1864 and was converted into a restaurant in 2008. We pride ourselves in supporting local vendors and ingredients to bring you the best quality dishes.

Enjoy a meal in our beautiful bistro or on the deck/patio as weather permits. We have a great selection of wine, cocktails, and carry a variety of domestic and craft beers.

The Schoolhouse is also a great venue for small events - micro weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, baby showers, and any other celebrations!

Top review

peter

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing food and amazing service. Truly a hidden gem !

Buck & Honey's - Waunakee

4.7

4.7 (527)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Waunakee

About the restaurant

At Buck & Honey’s, we've taken great care to ensure your first visit makes you feel like you're stopping by an old friend's. We're locally owned and offer a wide variety of traditional fare made from scratch with only the freshest available ingredients.… Great pastas, tender steaks, fresh entree salads, unique specialty sandwiches, critically acclaimed Friday fish fry and our deliciously crispy thin crust pizzas round out our offerings. Check out the extensive wine list, craft cocktails and beer selections. Join us for live entertainment and special events.

Top review

Joanne

Dined on May 8, 2025

Good quality food at a reasonable price. Nice quiet venue.

Samba Brazilian Grill

4.6

4.6 (1022)

$50 and over

Brazilian Steakhouse

Madison

About the restaurant

For those of you who are not current or former gauchos who roam the prairies of Brazil, you might need an explanation of our style of service. At the end on a long day of work tending to cattle and stock, Brazilian cowboys (Gauchos) and their families would prepare great feasts. They would skewer various meats, roast them over a fire pit and bring them to the table for carving. There would be a bounty of seasonal vegetables, stews and salads using fresh ingredients from the fruits of their labor.

Top review

Alison

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Always excellent service, food and atmosphere. We love this restaurant!

Buck & Honey's - Sun Prairie

4.6

4.6 (1595)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sun Prairie

About the restaurant

At Buck & Honey’s, we've taken great care to ensure your first visit makes you feel like you're stopping by an old friend's. We're locally owned and offer a wide variety of traditional fare made from scratch with only the freshest available ingredients.… Sun Prairie's taken notice by awarding Buck & Honey's 'Best Restaurant', 'Best Steak', 'Best Dinner', 'Best Place for Live Music', 'Best Lunch', (and more) every year! Great pastas, tender steaks, fresh entree salads, unique specialty sandwiches, critically acclaimed Friday fish fry and our deliciously crispy thin crust pizzas round out our offerings. Check out the extensive wine list. Join us for live entertainment and special events. Now serving brunch from 10A-2P on Sunday!

Top review

steve

Dined 2 days ago

Great food, great service, always consistent . Will certainly be back again

Lucille

4.6

4.6 (1206)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

Madison

About the restaurant

Lucille is currently open for indoor dining! For large group reservations (15+ people), please email us at info@lucillemadison.com or give us a call at 608-283-0000 for availability.

We are excited to have you in!

Top review

Debra

Dined 2 days ago

We are outside. My entree arrived 20 minutes before my husband’s pizza. 2nd time. I guess that is just how it works. Attentive wait staff. Enjoyable evening. The chicken Caribbean curry bowl was exceptional!

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Lucille Happy Hour EVERYDAY 3-6pm

Orchard

4.6

4.6 (25)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Verona

About the restaurant

Orchard is a stylish yet inviting restaurant that celebrates the best of Wisconsin’s culinary heritage with a fresh, global twist. Rooted in an actual organic orchard growing English and French cider apples, Orchard crafts exceptional wine-like ciders and European-style apple brandies. The kitchen, led by Chef Ian Hutchins—newly arrived from Vancouver—emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, complemented by thoughtfully curated ciders, craft beers, wines, and cocktails from sustainable producers. With over 30 years of experience in the organic community, we partner with local farmers and growers to bring the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to every dish. The Orchard experience is both exciting and approachable, offering a warm Midwest welcome alongside internationally acclaimed ciders, innovative plates, and inspired cocktails.

Top review

MatthewVIP

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Cider flights were fun and there’s a lot of variety available in terms of flavors and sweet/dry. Smashburger was really tasty. Fries are good. Fish fry was good too but not my preferred breading style. It was well prepared and came with good sides but I’d get the burger or a pizza instead next time.

Eno Vino West Side

4.4

4.4 (1394)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Madison

About the restaurant

Eno Vino offers 200+ wines by the bottle & another 45 by the glass. From the beginning, Eno Vino was established as a place to share great wine, sensational, hand-crafted cocktails and fresh, inviting food. Whether you would like to entertain friends, enjoy an evening out with a loved one or unwind during happy hour ~ we invite you to enjoy an evening at Eno Vino! Kitchen serves a late night menu from 9pm-11pm Monday through Thursday, and from 10pm-12am Friday and Saturday. The bar is open until 11pm Monday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Was very disappointed Mexican steer corn has been removed from the menu.

Liberty Station - Madison

4.4

4.4 (588)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Madison

About the restaurant

Liberty Station - Madison offers BBQ and American comfort food in Madison.