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Madison, WI Food recommendations?
Posted on 8/1/24 at 11:37 am
Posted on 8/1/24 at 11:37 am
Hi all,
I’ll be traveling to Madison, WI in a few weeks. I’ll really only have one night free there and am looking for a good restaurant. Nothing fine dining - my meal budget is usually ~$20-30. What’s something good I can get in that price range?
I’ll be traveling to Madison, WI in a few weeks. I’ll really only have one night free there and am looking for a good restaurant. Nothing fine dining - my meal budget is usually ~$20-30. What’s something good I can get in that price range?
4
Posted on 8/1/24 at 11:43 am to thatoneguy
Sardine is really good.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 11:45 am
Posted on 8/1/24 at 12:49 pm to thatoneguy
Not sure where in Madison you'll be staying, but plenty of options around Capitol Square, State Street and Willy Street in your $20-30 range.
Few ideas: Tipsy Cow, Settle Down Tavern, Coopers Tavern, The Old Fashioned, Mickey's Tavern, Weary Traveler, Grampa's Pizzeria, Paul's Pel'meni, and Dotty Dumpling's
ETA: Best combination of burger and curds is Tipsy Cow or Settle Down. You'll see plenty of people give you The Old Fashioned, which is plenty good, but also the most popular.
Few ideas: Tipsy Cow, Settle Down Tavern, Coopers Tavern, The Old Fashioned, Mickey's Tavern, Weary Traveler, Grampa's Pizzeria, Paul's Pel'meni, and Dotty Dumpling's
ETA: Best combination of burger and curds is Tipsy Cow or Settle Down. You'll see plenty of people give you The Old Fashioned, which is plenty good, but also the most popular.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 12:51 pm
Posted on 8/1/24 at 1:07 pm to hoopsgalore
Thanks! Guess I should’ve specified - it’ll be on the east side, somewhat near the Olbrich botanical gardens. I’m good driving to the downtown area or near campus though if there’s better options.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 1:11 pm
Posted on 8/1/24 at 1:39 pm to hoopsgalore
quote:
Not sure where in Madison you'll be staying, but plenty of options around Capitol Square, State Street and Willy Street in your $20-30 range.
I'm staying in Willy St area for the Bama game in Sept. Flying direct into Madison Friday morning. Any suggestions for lunch/dinner/daydrinking spots?
Saturday I'm sure we'll be hanging closer to campus, but it looks like Willy St is a pretty hip area itself? We're all about 30 years old if that makes a difference.
Thanks in advance if anyone has recs!
Posted on 8/1/24 at 3:27 pm to thatoneguy
quote:
it’ll be on the east side, somewhat near the Olbrich botanical gardens. I’m good driving to the downtown area or near campus though if there’s better options.
Honestly, you could walk to Willy Street (i.e. Grampa's, Mickey's, and Weary Traveler) from Olbrich. Would also add there's a fantastic Biergarten in Olbrich that's worth checking out.
Generally, though, I would recommend making your way to Willy Street or Capitol Square / State Street. Capitol Square is a great area to walk, grab a beer and eat some pretty affordable tavern food. Settle Down, Tipsy Cow, Coopers Tavern, and The Old Fashioned are all along the Square.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 3:42 pm to RTN
quote:
I'm staying in Willy St area for the Bama game in Sept. Flying direct into Madison Friday morning. Any suggestions for lunch/dinner/daydrinking spots?
Saturday I'm sure we'll be hanging closer to campus, but it looks like Willy St is a pretty hip area itself? We're all about 30 years old if that makes a difference.
Willy is a cool, eclectic street that isn't far from Capitol Square or State Street, so it's a worthwhile go for good restaurants (i.e. Weary Traveler and A Pig In A Fur Coat) and Working Draft (brewery) + State Line (distillery) for a couple drinks.
That said, you're in Madison for a weekend of partying and football, so I wouldn't budget all, or even close to the majority, of my time on Willy. Would plan to hop Capitol Square and down through/around State Street. Generally speaking, Capitol Square will be more young professionals - Genna's, Lucille, and Paul's Club always have a good crowd. As you move further down State Street, Double U, Danny's, Chasers, KK, Brats, etc., are going to be chalked and packed to the brim with undergrads and alumni.
There aren't many (any?) out there with more bars than cities in Wisconsin. Throw a baseball and you'll hit one for day drinking. However, I'd carve out time for pitchers at the Terrace at Memorial Union. If you aren't familiar with Madison, it's situated on an isthmus, which is super unique. The Terrace, which is the most well-known part of campus, lines Lake Mendota (one of the two lakes). Incredible setting to have beers and enjoy the weather. Sunset is pretty incredible, too.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 4:05 pm
Posted on 8/1/24 at 3:51 pm to hoopsgalore
Going to throw a couple pointers / recommendations for Alabama fans traveling to Madison (since this thread makes sense to post into):
- If you're planning to bar hop State Street on Friday and Saturday, make sure you start early and find your footing at a bar you like. Football weekends, as you know / can imagine, are an absolute scene. It's going to be extremely difficult getting in anywhere once you see a stretching line.
- That first point goes for the bars / beer gardens along Regent on Saturday AM, too. Camp Randall, which lines the edge of campus / engineering, is in the middle of a neighborhood with off-campus student housing, which creates a very fun, unique setting for the fan experience. You'll see traditional tailgates in smaller lots and backyards, but there are big house parties along Breese and bars / beer gardens on Regent. You get the best of everything. If choosing to pregame at a bar, make sure you get there early. With an 11am kick, you won't want to be waiting in line at Lucky's, for example.
- If you're planning to bar hop State Street on Friday and Saturday, make sure you start early and find your footing at a bar you like. Football weekends, as you know / can imagine, are an absolute scene. It's going to be extremely difficult getting in anywhere once you see a stretching line.
- That first point goes for the bars / beer gardens along Regent on Saturday AM, too. Camp Randall, which lines the edge of campus / engineering, is in the middle of a neighborhood with off-campus student housing, which creates a very fun, unique setting for the fan experience. You'll see traditional tailgates in smaller lots and backyards, but there are big house parties along Breese and bars / beer gardens on Regent. You get the best of everything. If choosing to pregame at a bar, make sure you get there early. With an 11am kick, you won't want to be waiting in line at Lucky's, for example.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 5:09 pm
Posted on 8/1/24 at 3:56 pm to hoopsgalore
Tipsy Cow is very good. I also liked Toby's Supper Club. Good cocktails and good food.
The walleye, Lake perch and pan fried chicken were very good at Toby's., as well as the martinis.
The walleye, Lake perch and pan fried chicken were very good at Toby's., as well as the martinis.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 5:50 pm
Posted on 8/1/24 at 4:33 pm to hoopsgalore
Amazing, thanks a ton. I've had this one circled for a long time.
Any tips on getting around that weekend? I see there's B-Cycle E-Bikes, is that pretty reliable? I imagine Uber is going to be a shite show, so worst case I'll bring some good walking shoes.
Any tips on getting around that weekend? I see there's B-Cycle E-Bikes, is that pretty reliable? I imagine Uber is going to be a shite show, so worst case I'll bring some good walking shoes.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 5:08 pm to RTN
quote:
Any tips on getting around that weekend?
Where around/on Willy Street are you staying? If you're closer to the top near Williamson/Jenifer, you're less than a 15-minute walk to Capitol Square + State Street pushes right up to the Square, too. If you're further east, closer to the Yahara River (flows water between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona), it's still walking distance but closer to 35 minutes.
In short, yes, I'd probably bring good walking shoes. Madison is an extremely walkable city, which makes for a fun weekend if you're planning to bar hop. If it was an afternoon or night kick, I'd say you should crawl your way down to Regent / Camp Randall, but that's cutting it close for an AM kick. Uber/Lyft shouldn't be too difficult until later in the evening both days. Otherwise, yes, B-Cycle is reliable and there are plenty of stations around the downtown area, including a couple on Willy.
ETA: Also, I'm right around your age and we'll all be back in Madison for this weekend, too. Let me buy you a round or two
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 5:33 pm
Posted on 8/1/24 at 6:18 pm to hoopsgalore
Send me an email with your phone number and I’ll shoot you a text
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 9:49 pm
Posted on 8/2/24 at 4:07 pm to thatoneguy
I had fun at Double U and Kollege Klub for drinking.
Posted on 8/2/24 at 7:21 pm to thatoneguy
Great Dane Brewing near Downtown had some really good food. Great beers as well.
I'm going to the Bama /WISC game too
I'm going to the Bama /WISC game too
This post was edited on 8/2/24 at 7:30 pm
Posted on 8/2/24 at 7:30 pm to MurphyGator
quote:
I had fun at Double U and Kollege Klub for drinking
Wando's fish bowls tyfys
Posted on 8/2/24 at 8:11 pm to RTN
quote:
I'm staying in Willy St area for the Bama game in Sept. Flying direct into Madison Friday morning. Any suggestions for lunch/dinner/daydrinking spots?
Friday day drinking at Memorial Union right on waterfront if weather is nice then afternoon beers at State Street Brats. Jordan's Big Ten Pub Friday for dinner. Get there around 5 as the place gets packed.
Gameday Sconnie Bar early then walk to Camp Randall.
Our group gets in Thursday. Roll Tide!!
Posted on 8/3/24 at 7:05 am to MurphyGator
quote:
I had fun at Double U and Kollege Klub for drinking.
Yup - KK, Double U, Chasers, and Danny's are all wild as hell.
Posted on 8/3/24 at 9:51 pm to hoopsgalore
quote:
Best combination of burger and curds is Tipsy Cow or Settle Down. You'll see plenty of people give you The Old Fashioned, which is plenty good, but also the most popular.
I haven’t been to those other places but love the old fashioned.
Posted on 8/3/24 at 10:00 pm to Chucktown_Badger
If you guys stay for the 5th quarter the band marches out of the stadium and plays all the way down university back to the center of campus. Fun to walk back with them, especially near the drum line, and then you’re right back on State St and the union for the afternoon games. This will be a fun weekend for those going. Beautiful weather, beautiful setting.
Posted on 8/3/24 at 10:14 pm to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
haven’t been to those other places but love the old fashioned.
It's good, but easily the most generic recommendation in Madison. Wait times downtown, as they always are on the weekend, are going to be intense. If I'm too hungry to wait, usually just walk a few blocks east to Caribou Tavern for a cheap burger then hop to Robin Room for cocktails.
This post was edited on 8/4/24 at 8:20 am
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