Gabrielle’s guidebook
Food scene
By far my favorite restaurant in Madison. Fantastic food and drinks!
31 locals recommend
Oliver's Public House
2540 University AveBy far my favorite restaurant in Madison. Fantastic food and drinks!
Delicious counter style local cafe serving up farm to table eats. They do breakfast lunch and dinner, coffee and glasses of wine + beers as well as run a small gift shop in the front.
Pasture & Plenty
2433 University AveDelicious counter style local cafe serving up farm to table eats. They do breakfast lunch and dinner, coffee and glasses of wine + beers as well as run a small gift shop in the front.
Great place to sit and get some work done, over a cup of Joe or a glass of wine. Open air patio runs seasonally. They sell wine by the bottle here as well as simple coffeshop food.
7 locals recommend
Barriques - University
2505 University AveGreat place to sit and get some work done, over a cup of Joe or a glass of wine. Open air patio runs seasonally. They sell wine by the bottle here as well as simple coffeshop food.
Love this place! Delicious coffee, tea, beer and wine and of course FOOD! Great atmosphere, top notch counter service.
The Heights
11 N Allen StLove this place! Delicious coffee, tea, beer and wine and of course FOOD! Great atmosphere, top notch counter service.
Fantastic happy hour from 4-7. Delicious seafood! Lovely staff. Patio out front.
30 locals recommend
Tempest Oyster Bar
120 E Wilson StFantastic happy hour from 4-7. Delicious seafood! Lovely staff. Patio out front.
Beautiful views of Lake Monona in the front of the restaurant. Wonderful Patio in the summer!
46 locals recommend
Sardine
617 Williamson StBeautiful views of Lake Monona in the front of the restaurant. Wonderful Patio in the summer!
Madison Sourdough
916 Williamson StGreat cafe/bakery. Nice food and nice patio in summer!
One of Madison's most popular destinations for asian cuisine.
55 locals recommend
Hạ Long Bay Restaurant
1353 Williamson StOne of Madison's most popular destinations for asian cuisine.
Great tex-mex option. Half off margaritas Monday and Tuesday and happy hour from 4-6 daily!
9 locals recommend
Pasqual's Hilldale
670 N Midvale BlvdGreat tex-mex option. Half off margaritas Monday and Tuesday and happy hour from 4-6 daily!
RED
316 W Washington AveBy far best sushi restaurant in Madison
Brasserie V
1923 Monroe StMy favorite burger in Madison!
Fabulous views of the isthmus, you can see both Lake Monona and Mendota and the state capitol, beautiful patio and great food and drinks
31 locals recommend
Eno Vino Downtown
1 N Webster StFabulous views of the isthmus, you can see both Lake Monona and Mendota and the state capitol, beautiful patio and great food and drinks
Everly
2701 Monroe StLove the food here
Blue Moon Bar & Grill
2535 University AveRelaxed 2 story bar with solid burgers and beer on tap
Michael's Frozen Custard
2531 Monroe StThe best Frozen Custard in Madison!
Sightseeing
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall AveOne of the only free zoos in the Country!
Walking down state street will give you a nice sense of the Madison culture. Fantastic shops along the whole street! Clothes, food, bars, you name it.
111 locals recommend
State Street
State StreetWalking down state street will give you a nice sense of the Madison culture. Fantastic shops along the whole street! Clothes, food, bars, you name it.
Wisconsin State Capitol
2 E Main StCool architecture to check out inside and outside
Chazen Museum of Art
800 University AveFantastic free art museum
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
227 State StAnother great free art museum
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock DrCute small little botanical gardens. Free entrance
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood AveBeautiful botanical gardens!
Great place to sit by the lake, they offer food, alcoholic drinks, and home-made ice cream! Lots of free concerts here in the summer.
122 locals recommend
Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon StGreat place to sit by the lake, they offer food, alcoholic drinks, and home-made ice cream! Lots of free concerts here in the summer.
Great spot to rent a kayak or stand up paddle board and check out views of lake monona
18 locals recommend
Brittingham Boats
701 W Brittingham PlGreat spot to rent a kayak or stand up paddle board and check out views of lake monona
Neighborhoods
Regent
Quaint little neighborhood that I live in. I love it!
This is the hippie vibe of Madison. Organic Willy-St Coop offers tons of goodies. Cute antique shops and good food all along this street.
15 locals recommend
Williamson Street
Williamson StreetThis is the hippie vibe of Madison. Organic Willy-St Coop offers tons of goodies. Cute antique shops and good food all along this street.
Probably the nicest neighborhood in Madison. Beautiful houses and architecture, really nice ones along the lake! Fun to drive or walk through.
Shorewood Hills
Probably the nicest neighborhood in Madison. Beautiful houses and architecture, really nice ones along the lake! Fun to drive or walk through.
Shopping
Hilldale Shopping Center
726 N Midvale BlvdGreat shops and restaurants here
West Towne Mall
66 W Towne MallArt Gecko on Monroe
1725 Monroe StLove this store to find unique art, clothing, and jewelry!
Burnie's Rock Shop
901 E Johnson StFantastic rock and crystal shop selling art and jewelry
Groceries
Trader Joe's
1810 Monroe StWhole Foods Market
4710 University AveWilly Street Co-op—East
1221 Williamson StRegent Market Co-Op
2136 Regent StWilly Street Co-op—West
6825 University AvePick 'n Save
3650 University AveNature
Beautiful grounds, wooded trails, springs
60 locals recommend
University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum
1207 Seminole HighwayBeautiful grounds, wooded trails, springs
Hoyt Park
Picnic Point
2000 University Bay DrNice views of the lake and downtown madison
Devil's Lake State Park
S5975 Park RdMy favorite hiking spot in the state!
UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve
2000 University Bay DrGreat wooded trails
Frautschi Point
Great place to hike!
Picnic Point
2000 University Bay DrGreat nature walk!
Great spot to watch the sunset, or chill by the lake with a frisbee during the day
34 locals recommend
James Madison Park
614 E Gorham StGreat spot to watch the sunset, or chill by the lake with a frisbee during the day
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Saturday farmer's market on the capital square is a must!
Take the bus or an uber downtown to avoid parking chaos, otherwise many ramps available.
Don't miss
Concerts on the square every Wednesday night in the summer
Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy a free concert from the Madison Symphony Orchestra