Here are some dining highlights among the overwhelming number of options in Madison. Many places will get quite busy on Friday night; if there is a phone number included we especially recommend that you call ahead. Distances are from Nancy Nicholas Hall. These recommendations are plotted on a Google Map at https://bit.ly/38fKsRh
Close to SoHE
Union South: multiple counter service options for quick meals. (0.5 miles) 1308 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53715 www.union.wisc.edu
Library Bar and Cafe: very close, decent food, very college-bar (for better or worse). (0.3 miles) 320 N Randall Ave, Madison, WI 53715 www.librarycafeandbar.com
Steenbock’s on Orchard: inside the Wisconsin Discovery Center. Probably the closest option for a nice sit-down meal. (0.4 miles) 330 N Orchard St, Madison, WI 53715 www.steenbocksonorchard.com 608-204-2733
Indie Coffee: cute coffee shop with sandwich menu, open until 8pm. (0.7 miles) 1225 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715 www.indiecoffee.net
Near East and State Street (medium to long walk, bus, or short Lyft/Uber ride)
Memorial Union: multiple counter service options for quick meals. (0.5 miles) 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706 www.union.wisc.edu
Forage Kitchen: popular counter service chain for nice salads and bowls. (0.6 miles) 665 State St, Madison, WI 53703 www.foragemadison.com
Sunroom Cafe: relaxed diner on the second floor above State Street. (0.8 miles) 638 State St, Madison, WI 53703 www.sunroomcafe.com
Himal Chuli: Nepalese cuisine, good vegetarian and GF options. (1.0 mile) 318 State St, Madison, WI 53703 himalchulimadison.com
Fresco: Upscale rooftop restaurant on the top floor of Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMOCA). (1.1 miles) 227 State St, Madison, WI 53703 www.frescomadison.com 608-663-7374
Bassett Street Brunch Club: fun menu and good happy hour specials. One of the Food Fight Group restaurants around town, which are generally decent mid-price options. 444 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703 www.brunchclubmadison.com 608-467-5051 foodfightinc.com
Near West/Monroe Street (long walk or short Lyft/Uber ride)
The Heights: small menu of bistro-inspired fare in a pretty dining room. Usually not too crowded, even on weekends. Amanda is very fond of this spot. (1.2 miles) 11 N Allen St, Madison, WI 53726 www.theheightskitchen.com 608-405-5500
Pizza Brutta: nicer than average pizza place. (1.0 mile) 805 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711 www.pizzabrutta.com
Brasserie V: Belgian beer-centric gastropub. Cozy and fun, but gets crowded. (1.1 mile) 1923 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711 brasseriev.com 608-255-8500
Everly: fusion cuisine in a nice space. 2701 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711 everlymadison.com 608-416-5242
Downtown/Capital Square (long walk, bus or Lyft/Uber, all about 1.5 miles)
Heritage Tavern, Graze, Graft, and Harvest are all different upscale, farm to table option on Capital Square. Marina says Heritage is her usual, while Harvest is her favorite for a splurge.
Heritage Tavern, 131 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703 www.heritagetavern.com 608-283-9500
Graze, 1 S Pinckney St #107, Madison, WI 53703 www.grazemadison.com 608-251-2700
Graft, 18 N Carroll St, Madison, WI 53703 www.graftmadison.com 608-229-8800
Harvest, 21 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703 www.harvest-restaurant.com 608-255-6075
A street or two over from the square, Cento and Osteria Papavero offer nice Italian, while Merchant and Lucille are nice mid-range spots for food and drinks.
Cento, 122 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703 www.centomadison.com 608-284-9378
Osteria Papavero, 128 E Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703 www.osteriapapavero.com 608-255-8376
Merchant, 121 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703 www.merchantmadison.com 608-259-9799
Lucille, 101 King St, Madison, WI 53703 www.lucillemadison.com 608-283-0000
East Side/Willy Street/Atwood (bus or Lyft/Uber, 2+ miles)
Sardine: good seafood and very nice ambiance. 617 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703 www.sardinemadison.com 608-441-1600
Weary Traveler Freehouse: cozy neighborhood bar scene with above average food and many vegetarian options. Entrance door is around the corner on Few Street. 1201 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703 www.wearytravelerfreehouse.com 608-442-6207
Ha Long Bay: Excellent Thai food, but so popular that there’s usually a line out the door. 1353 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703 halongbaymadison.com 608-255-2868
Dobhan: Same owners as Himal Chuli with similar Nepalese menu. 2110 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704 www.dobhankitchen.com 608-242-4448
Mint Mark: tiny dining room but a fun space and very good food from a small menu. 1929 Winnebago St, Madison, WI 53704 www.mintmarkmadison.com 608-285-5096
Bar Corallini: housemade pasta and wood-fired pizza with a separate vegan menu. 2004 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704 www.barcorallini.com 608-709-1316
Monty’s Blue Plate Diner: Solid diner food with a separate vegan menu. 2089 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704 www.montysblueplatediner.com 608-244-8505
Grocery Stores
If you just need a few snacks or standard grocery items, there are two nearby options:
Trader Joe’s 1810 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711 locations.traderjoes.com (1.1 miles)
Fresh Madison Market 703 University Ave, Madison, WI 53715 freshmadisonmarket.com (0.7 miles)