Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Madison

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Madison? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sultan

4.9

4.9 (15)

$31 to $50

Pakistani

Madison

About the restaurant

Small plates Pakistani restaurant serving modern takes on South Asian cuisine showcasing Wisconsin and Midwest ingredients. No tipping restaurant that pays all staff a living wage and profit share.

Top review

Todd

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Everything was delicious. The host and servers were very kind and friendly. They also took time to explain each dish. We would definitely recommend and we’ll be returning for sure.

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Experience

Decolonize Tasting Menu

Williams's Pine Gables Supper Club

4.9

4.9 (497)

$31 to $50

American

Madison

About the restaurant

Welcome to William's Pine Gables Supper Club.
We look forward to seeing you soon

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Excellent Rouladen. Highly recommended. Filthy Martini, MMM!

Eno Vino West Side

4.7

4.7 (1378)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Madison

About the restaurant

Eno Vino offers 200+ wines by the bottle & another 45 by the glass. From the beginning, Eno Vino was established as a place to share great wine, sensational, hand-crafted cocktails and fresh, inviting food. Whether you would like to entertain friends, enjoy an evening out with a loved one or unwind during happy hour ~ we invite you to enjoy an evening at Eno Vino! Kitchen serves a late night menu from 9pm-10pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 10pm-11pm Friday and Saturday. The bar is open until 11pm Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.

Top review

Kristan

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

We love the food and drinks at Eno Vino! The atmosphere is usually nice because they have a fireplace, but it was not operating when we were there so that was a bit unfortunate because it was a very cold blustery evening.

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Experience

Five Course Prix-Fixe New Year's Eve Dinner

D’Vino

4.7

4.7 (656)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Madison

About the restaurant

Wine/Cicchetti (pronounced: che-kett-ee) Bar
Fine Italian Dining
Irresistible little snacks of every imaginable configuration from the varied regions of Italy. Eat them at the bar with an ombra (shadow) of wine with an aperitif. Fine Dining Menu Also available Wed-Sat-Classic Italian favorites and daily chefs specials including Chicken Parmigiano, Sicilian Steak and Shrimp Scampi. Sunday Supper 5-8PM

Top review

JeffVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Best swordfish I think I’ve ever had. Personally greeted at the table by the owner who shared his cooking method. Some standard Italian dishes and others with inventive flair. Great wine list by the glass. We will be back.

Villa Dolce

4.6

4.6 (641)

$30 and under

Italian

Middleton

About the restaurant

A modern Italian cafe in the heart of downtown historic Middleton. With a contemporary vibe this fusion Italian gem features unique topping gourmet pizzas, handmade pasta and famous Gelato.

Top review

Rene

Dined on Nov 17, 2024

The food is so tasty and the staff so friendly, the restaurant has the warm of a home kitchen it permeates into everything. We moved away and never miss an opportunity to go back.

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Popular dish

Meat Lovers

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro

4.8

4.8 (953)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Madison

About the restaurant

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro is located on the banks of the Sugar River in Paoli, WI. The Schoolhouse was built in 1864 and was converted into a restaurant in 2008. We pride ourselves in supporting local vendors and ingredients to bring you the best quality dishes.

Enjoy a meal in our beautiful bistro or on the deck/patio as weather permits. We have a great selection of wine, cocktails, and carry a variety of domestic and craft beers.

The Schoolhouse is also a great venue for small events - micro weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, baby showers, and any other celebrations!

Top review

Jeff

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing experience again. Been there twice and is now hands down my favorite restaurant in the Madison area

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The Melting Pot - Madison

4.7

4.7 (649)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Middleton

About the restaurant

At The Melting Pot, fun is cooked up fondue style, creating an out of the ordinary dining experience.
You'll discover all the ingredients for a perfect evening, including attentive service, private tables, & an atmosphere of casual elegance. In addition to the cheese & chocolate fondues which have made The Melting Pot famous, they offer a fine selection of beef, chicken, seafood, vegetarian & gluten free entrees, as well as an exceptional wine list & a full bar. You may enjoy a romantic evening for two, a special occasion with forty of your closest friends, a dining experience to impress your boss, or a night out with the family. Whatever the occasion, an evening at The Melting Pot is always a celebration. Reservations are highly recommended. We do our best to ensure every guest receives the highest level of service. As such, we are unable to hold your reservation longer than 10 minutes past your selected time. If you are running behind schedule, please just give us a ring!

Top review

Charlea

Dined 4 days ago

10/10 would go again! Loved the service as well as the food!

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Experience

Christmas Eve

Experience

Holly Jolly Fondue - Available 12/21 thru 12/23

Experience

New Year's Eve Masquerade Party

Buck & Honey's - Sun Prairie

4.7

4.7 (1571)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sun Prairie

About the restaurant

At Buck & Honey’s, we've taken great care to ensure your first visit makes you feel like you're stopping by an old friend's. We're locally owned and offer a wide variety of traditional fare made from scratch with only the freshest available ingredients.… Sun Prairie's taken notice by awarding Buck & Honey's 'Best Restaurant', 'Best Steak', 'Best Dinner', 'Best Place for Live Music', 'Best Lunch', (and more) every year! Great pastas, tender steaks, fresh entree salads, unique specialty sandwiches, critically acclaimed Friday fish fry and our deliciously crispy thin crust pizzas round out our offerings. Check out the extensive wine list. Join us for live entertainment and special events. Now serving brunch from 10A-2P on Sunday!

Top review

Dave

Dined 2 days ago

Great food and friendly staff! It’s a great place to meet friends for cocktails and dinner.

Otto's Restaurant and Bar - Madison

4.6

4.6 (1662)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Madison

About the restaurant

A locally owned Madison favorite, Otto's is set in a beautifully restored 1870s stone farm house with two dining levels. The menu features creative, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, fresh seafood, Certified Angus Beef steaks and more. A friendly lower-level bar serves classic cocktails and fine wines, and half-price appetizers from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday – Friday. Outdoor dining and live jazz are featured on the deck Spring through Fall, weather permitting. Otto's is also open the first Monday of each month (excluding holidays) in the Spring and Summer when live music is being performed. Main level dining area is wheelchair accessible. Online reservations are available for the dining rooms only, bar and deck table reservations should be made via telephone. Reservations are recommended for dining in the bar, outdoors, and inside for parties of 6 or more. In the event your party is unable to attend, please contact us by phone to cancel your reservation.

Top review

TomVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Food was excellent and very nice wine selection at good price points

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Middleton

4.6

4.6 (1156)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Madison

About the restaurant

One day call-in advanced reservation is required for Wine Dinners, all guests must order from Wine Dinner Menu, no substitutions.

For reservations on holidays, 20% GRATUITY WILL BE ADDED TO ALL CHECKS

For parties of 6 or more, please call the restaurant and ask to speak with a manager.

For parties of 5 or more, gratuity of 18% will be included.

***Separate Checks will not be accepted for parties of 9 or more***

Ruths Chris Steak House serves the finest aged, corn-fed USDA Prime beef. Broiled in a trademark 1,800° oven & served on a plate heated to 500 degrees, your steak is presented sizzling hot at your table.
Additionally, the menu includes select fresh seafood & other meat entrees. A variety of fresh-cooked vegetables, including seven kinds of potatoes, salads, homemade desserts & an extensive selection of over 100 domestic & imported wines complete your dining experience.
Ruths Chris never fails to please

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Our server, Young, was excellent and personable. The food was delicious and we enjoyed the atmosphere and the beautiful Christmas decor. I forgot I had gift cards to use so now we have an excuse to go back! Lol!!

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