Madison Food Guide: The 3 best new restaurants

When it comes to dining out, you might have your old standbys when it comes down to deciding where to go for your next meal. If you’re wanting to try something new, there are three highly recommended new restaurants to check out in Madison. Our loyal readers voted and have deemed these three restaurants as the best new places in town. Be sure to add The Northside Lounge, Molten Monkey Pizza, and Ama Kitchen into your restaurant rotation.  

The Northside Lounge

You guessed it—the Northside Lounge is located on the Northside, and this bar is serving up hand-crafted cocktails and pouring local craft beers. Owned and operated by Madisonian Simon Dettinger, the Northside Lounge is the perfect place to grab a late night drink and experience the Northside community. Dettinger has worked in the service industry for over 20 years, and when a spot opened up Dettinger’s Northside neighborhood, he made his dream a reality. 

The Northside Lounge opened in 2024, and it combines that “lounge-y feel” with an art deco look. If you love a good old fashioned and a local neighborhood haunt, be sure to grab a drink at this best new restaurant. 

Molten Monkey Pizza

Molten Monkey Pizza serves Detroit Style pizza with a focus on a “pillowy” crust and caramelized cheese edges. Located on the East side, Molten Monkey boasts unique pizza creations in a lounge-style restaurant setting. And if you’re not feeling like being out in public, they make it easy to order your pizza online for pick-up. Whether you want a Tikka Masala pizza or a pizza drizzled with their Avo Maria sauce, a creamy avocado and herb sauce, the Molten Monkey Pizza has been deemed worthy of a visit by Up North News’ dedicated readership.

Ama Kitchen

Ama Kitchen is the third restaurant to be voted on as one of the Best New Restaurants in Madison. This restaurant is a casual, but fine dining eatery serving both classic American breakfast on weekends and Traditional Nepali food during their dinner hours. “Ama” means mother in Nepali and is the third restaurant from the Pradhan family. Ama Kitchen is a tribute to the Pradhan family’s late mother, who passed away in 2022. Located on Willy Street, Ama Kitchen is located in a multi-level space with a cozy loft dining area and delicious chutney and egg-filled dosas—just a few of their creative takes. 

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