What are the best restaurants in Madison in 2025?

By Stacy Rounds

March 17, 2025

It’s that time of year again when our readers get to decide who takes the crown for the best restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin. Last year, more than 1,500 locals cast their votes, with Tornado Steak House winning Best Overall Restaurant in our Madison Food Guide. This year, we’re introducing two new categories: best ice cream and best view!

This survey only takes a couple of minutes to complete, and your participation helps to promote some of your favorite local haunts! So lend us your best foodie expertise, local readers. Visitors, newcomers, and even Madison residents who don’t get out much need your help to discover the best restaurants in town.

</p> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h2>What’s the best restaurant in Madison?</h2> <p><p>What’s the best restaurant in Madison this year? Who serves up the best grub, atmosphere, and service?</p></p> <ul> <li>Ahan</li> <li>A Pig in a Fur Coat</li> <li>Fairchild</li> <li>Himal Chuli</li> <li>L’Etoile</li> <li>Mint Mark</li> <li>Osteria Popavera</li> <li>Rare Steakhouse</li> <li>Samba Brazilian Grill</li> <li>Sardine</li> <li>Sultan</li> <li>The Harvey House</li> <li>Toby’s Supper Club</li> <li>Tornado Steak House</li> <li>Weary Traveler</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What’s the best new restaurant in Madison?</h3> <p><p>Must have opened in 2024 or 2025</p></p> <ul> <li>Ama Kitchen</li> <li>Amar Peru</li> <li>Apex Grill</li> <li>Butterbird</li> <li>Les Delices de Awa</li> <li>Molten Monkey Pizza</li> <li>The Northside Lounge</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>Who serves the best ice cream in Madison?</h3> <p><p>A moo, I mean new category.</p></p> <ul> <li>Calliope Ice Cream</li> <li>Chocolate Shoppe</li> <li>The Daily Scoop</li> <li>Frostee’s</li> <li>Ice Cream Social</li> <li>La Michoacana</li> <li>Sassy Cow Creamery</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>Who makes the best cheese curds in Madison?</h3> <ul> <li>Babes at Vitense</li> <li>Craftsman Table & Tap</li> <li>Curd Girl</li> <li>Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry</li> <li>Graze</li> <li>Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.</li> <li>The Old Fashioned</li> <li>Starkweather Brewing</li> <li>Tavernakaya</li> <li>Tipsy Cow</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>Who makes the best pizza in Madison?</h3> <ul> <li>Bar Corallini</li> <li>Clyde’s Pies</li> <li>Grandpa’s</li> <li>Gates & Brovi</li> <li>Glass Nickel</li> <li>Lucille</li> <li>Luigi’s</li> <li>Molten Monkey</li> <li>Novanta</li> <li>Pizza Brutta</li> <li>Salvatore’s</li> <li>Sugar River Pizza</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>Who does the best fish fry in Madison?</h3> <p><p>You’re halfway there!</p></p> <ul> <li>Dexter’s Pub</li> <li>Dorf Haus</li> <li>Green Lantern</li> <li>Kavanaugh’s Esquire Club</li> <li>The Old Fashioned</li> <li>Toby’s Supper Club</li> <li>Villa Tap</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>Who serves the best Old Fashioned in Madison?</h3> <ul> <li>Alchemy Cafe</li> <li>Chico’s Villa Tap</li> <li>D’Vino</li> <li>Harvey House</li> <li>Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge</li> <li>The Malt House</li> <li>Northside Lounge</li> <li>Toby’s Supper Club</li> <li>Tornado Steak House</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What is the best bar food in Madison?</h3> <ul> <li>Bar Corralini</li> <li>Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry</li> <li>Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.</li> <li>Lallande</li> <li>Merchant</li> <li>Mickey’s Tavern</li> <li>Oakcrest Tavern</li> <li>Paul’s Pel’meni</li> <li>Prost</li> <li>The Old Fashioned</li> <li>Weary Traveler Freehouse</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What’s the best cheese shop in Madison?</h3> <ul> <li>Babcock Dairy Store</li> <li>Brennan’s Market</li> <li>Fromagination</li> <li>Landmark Creamery</li> <li>Mousehouse Cheeshaus</li> <li>Northwoods Cheese</li> <li>Paoli Cheese Cottage</li> <li>Wisconsin Cheese Mart</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>What’s the best brewery in Madison?</h3> <p><p>Cheers to the best beers!</p></p> <ul> <li>Capital Brewery</li> <li>Delta Beer Lab</li> <li>Giant Jones</li> <li>The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company</li> <li>Hop Haus</li> <li>Karben4 Brewing</li> <li>New Glarus</li> <li>Parched Eagle</li> <li>Starkweather Brewing Company</li> <li>Vintage Brewing</li> <li>Wisconsin Brewing Company</li> <li>Working Draft</li> <li>Young Blood</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>Which restaurant has the best view?</h3> <p><p>One more to go!</p></p> <ul> <li>Buck & Honey’s Monona</li> <li>Eno Vino Downtown</li> <li>Graze Restaurant</li> <li>The Icehouse at the Edgewater</li> <li>The Jet Room</li> <li>Mariner’s Inn</li> <li>Sardine</li> <li>The Statehouse</li> </ul> </section> <section data-block="SingleChoice"> <h3>Who cooks the best burger in Madison?</h3> <p><p>Last question. You made it!</p></p> <ul> <li>The Bar Next Door</li> <li>Blue Moon Bar</li> <li>The Burger Den</li> <li>Caribou</li> <li>Dotty’s Dumplings Dowry</li> <li>Gates and Brovi</li> <li>Hank’s Burgers & Fish Fry</li> <li>Harmony Bar</li> <li>Mickey’s</li> <li>Oakcrest Tavern</li> <li>Players</li> <li>Sardine</li> <li>Seminole Tap</li> <li>Settle Down Tavern</li> <li>Sweet Home Wisconsin</li> <li>Tipsy Cow</li> <li>Village Bar</li> </ul> </section> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>

Author

Stacy Rounds

Stacy Rounds is a writer and growth producer for Up North News. Prior to joining the team, Stacy has worked as a writer, editor, and engagement specialist covering topics ranging from local history, disability advocacy, recreation, and food hotspots to relationships and mental health.

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