Nostrano (lunch and dinner)
111 S. Hamilton St
Seasonal/regional ingredients in a warm, modern setting
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol. Continue straight on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn left (west) on Main St and follow the Square around to the right. Walk one block and Nostrano is facing the Capitol Square on the corner.
Osteria Papavero (lunch and dinner)
128 E. Wilson St
Rustic Italian food from Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, seasonal/local ingredients.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol. The restaurant is one block down on the left.
Fromagination (lunch or picnic takeout - only open until 6 p.m.)
12 S. Carroll St
Gourmet picnic fare to go. A few tables outside under the trees overlooking the Capitol Square.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol. Continue straight on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn left (west) on Main St and follow the Square around to the right to Carroll St. Fromagination is just past the Inn on the Park hotel on Carroll St.
Sardine (dinner and weekend brunch)
617 Williamson St
Bistro meets warehouse space, specialize in seafood, nice bar.
Head out of Monona Terrace on Level 1 (the lower level lakefront). Walk east (go left out the doors) on the bike path (watch out for bicycle commuters moving fast). Sardine is located one block ahead at the end of the path right next door to Machinery Row Bicycles. Enter the restaurant on the lakeshore side of the building.
Restaurant Muramoto (lunch and dinner)
225 King St
Small plate Asian fusion and outstanding sushi.
Head out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol. Turn right on Wilson St. Turn left on King St. On left (west) side of King St.
L’Etoile Restaurant (dinner) and Graze Pub (lunch and dinner)
1 S. Pinckney St
L’Etoile is elegant and expensive. Graze is casual and has outdoor seating.
National reputation, slow food, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Head up Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn right on Main St. Follow the square around to the left on Pinckney St. Restaurants are next door to each other in the glass bank building.
Himal Chuli (lunch and dinner)
318 State St
Fabulous Nepali comfort food and a Madison favorite for decades.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol. Continue straight on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn left (west) on Main St and continue to follow Square around to the right to State St. Himal Chuli is in the third block of State St on the right side.
Chautara (lunch and dinner)
334 State St
Delicious, inspired Himalayan food. Full bar.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol. Continue straight on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn left (west) on Main S and continue to follow Square around to the right to State St. Chautara is in the third block of State St on the right side.
Harvest (dinner)
21 N. Pinckney St
Slow food in a charming historic building, urban feel.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Head up Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn right on Main St. Follow the Square around to the left on Pinckney St. Harvest is two block down on the right. Slow food, organic and locally sourced, overlooking the Capitol.
Tornado Room (dinner)
116 S. Hamilton St
Upscale supper club/steakhouse.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Continue straight ahead up Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square, turn left (west) on Main St and follow Square around to the right to Carroll St. Left onto S. Hamilton which angles into this intersection on the side of the Inn on the Park Hotel.
43 North (dinner and Sunday brunch)
108 King St
Modern Bistro
Head out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn right on Doty St. Walk 2 blocks to King St. Turn left on King St. and walk toward the Capitol. The restaurant is on your right.
Blue Marlin (dinner)
101 N. Hamilton St
All seafood menu, limited outdoor seating with Capitol view. Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Head up Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn right on Main St. Follow the Square around to the left to Pinckney St. Walk two blocks on Pinckney St. until you come to E. Mifflin St. The Blue Marlin is on the right in the middle of the triangle corner where Pinckney, E. Mifflin and N. Hamilton Sts. intersect.
Natt Spil (dinner and late night)
211 King St
Pizza, sandwiches, or full dinners, bar.
Head out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn right on Doty St. Walk 2 blocks to King St. Turn right on King St. Natt Spil is on the right side of the street (no sign outside).
Brocach Irish Pub (lunch and dinner)
7 W. Main St
Warm casual pub setting, comfort food, outdoor seating on the Capitol Square.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Continue straight ahead on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square, turn left (west) on Main St. The pub is on the left side about mid block.
The Cooper’s Tavern (lunch and dinner)
20 W. Mifflin St
Pub food, imported great beers on tap
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol. Continue straight on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn right (west) on Main St and continue to follow Square around two sides. Shortly after crossing Wisconsin Avenue, The Cooper’s Tavern will be on the right.
Orpheum Theater Restaurant (lunch, dinner, weekend breakfast)
216 State St
Historic theater, outdoor seating on State Street.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol. Continue straight on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn left (west) on Main St and continue to follow Square around to the right to State St. The Orpheum is in the second block of State St on the right side.
Great Dane Pub (lunch and dinner)
Pub, outdoor seating in back.
123 E. Doty St
Exit Monona Terrace on Level 5. Walk across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol and continue straight ahead on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn right on Doty St. Walk 2 blocks to King St. Great Dane is on the corner of Doty and King. Features their own microbrews, sandwiches, burgers, salads...
Paisan’s (lunch and dinner)
131 W. Wilson St
Italian American restaurant, outdoor seating.
Head out of Monona Terrace on Level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Turn left on W. Wilson St. Walk west about 1 ½ blocks. Paisan’s is on the left side just after you cross Carroll St. .
The Old Fashioned (lunch and dinner)
23 N. Pinckney St
Salads, sandwiches, full bar, sidewalk seating.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Head up Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn right on Main St. Follow the Square around to the left on Pinckney St. The Old Fashioned is two block down on the right.
Maharani Indian Restaurant (lunch buffet and dinner)
280 W. Washington Ave
Indian food, outdoor seating in an enclosed garden.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Contiune up to the Capitol Square on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn left (west) on Main St and follow the Square around to the right to Carroll St . Walk one block and turn left on W. Washington Avenue. Walk 2 blocks to the corner of W. Washington and Henry St. Maharani is on the north side of W. Washington Ave. at the corner of Henry St.
Bandung Restaurant (lunch and dinner)
600 Williamson St
Indonesian food.
Head out of Monona Terrace on Level 1 (the lower level lakefront). Walk east (go left out the doors) on the bike path (watch out for bicycle commuters moving fast). At the southeast corner of the lighted intersection in front of Machinery Row Bicycles, cross Williamson St. Bandung is in the strip mall on your right.
Ocean Grill (lunch and dinner)
117 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Seafood in a modern setting, outdoor seating on the sidewalk.
Walk out level 5 of Monona Terrace and head toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Continue straight ahead on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The restaurant is on your right (east side of the street).
Capitol Chophouse (lunch and dinner)
9 E. Wilson St
Traditional steak house.
Located on the main floor of the Hilton Monona Terrace.
Johnny Delmonico’s (lunch and dinner)
130 S. Pinckney St
Upscale steakhouse.
Walk out level 5 of MT and head toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Continue straight ahead on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn right on Doty St. Restaurant on corner of Doty & Pinckney.
Marigold Kitchen (breakfast and lunch)
118 S. Pinckney St
Comfort food in a casual homey atmosphere.
Head out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk across the pedestrian mall toward the Capitol on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn right on Doty St. Turn left on S. Pinckney St. The restaurant is just next door to Delmonico’s on the left side of the street.
Barriques (coffee/espresso bar, breakfast, light lunch/dinner menu, wine/beer bar)
127 W. Washington Ave
Local coffee shop and wine/beer bar with light food menu.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Contiune up to the Capitol Square on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn left (west) on Main St and follow the Square around to the right to Carroll St. Walk one block and turn left on W. Washington Ave. Walk 1 block to the corner of W. Washington and Fairchild.
Sunprint Café on the Square (breakfast and lunch)
1 S. Pinckney St
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Continue toward the capitol on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Turn right on Main St. Follow the Square around to the left on Pinckney St. Sunprint Café is in the US Bank Building on the corner of S. Pinckney and E. Washington Ave.
Gotham Bagels (breakfast and lunch)
112 E. Mifflin St
New York bagels and deli.
Walk out of Monona Terrace on level 5 and walk toward the Capitol on the pedestrian mall. Head up Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Capitol Square. Turn right on Main St. Follow the Square around to the left on Pinckney St. Turn right on E. Mifflin St. Gotham is in the middle of the block on the left (north) side of the street.
Lake Vista Café (lunch and dinner)
Monona Terrace Rooftop Garden
Soups, salads, sandwiches with a lake view.