Dining in Madison

Downtown Madison hosts a wide variety of dining options, many only minutes away from campus! State Street, only two blocks from Gordon, is a pedestrian street where you can find almost any fare, and the Library Mall is home to a dozen phenomenal food trucks for a quick bite. This list was compiled to help you find a restaurant you will love and is in your budget. It is categorized and ordered by distance from Gordon Dining and Event Center. Pricing is indicated, as well as if the restaurant has been awarded a "Best of Madison" ranking.

Price: Best of Madison: ★

$ - under $10

$$ - $11-$30

$$$ - over $30

Food Trucks:

Click here for a list of Madison food trucks and approximate hours.

Or click here for yelp reviews of library mall food trucks.

Breakfast Options:

$ Coffee Bytes .2 miles (3 min walk)
Local coffee shop offering a great location and fast service.
799 University Ave, Madison, WI 53715

$$ Starbucks .3 miles (7 min walk)
Seattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its signature roasts, light bites and WiFi availability.
661 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$ Einstein Bagels .4 miles (7 min walk)
Counter-service chain offering egg sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods & a variety of bagels.
652 State St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$ Basset Street Brunch Club .4 miles (7 min walk)
Vintage-themed diner offering elevated comfort foods including brunch & homemade donuts.
444 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703

$ Sunroom Café .4 miles (8 min walk)
Hopping cafe serving global fare with lots of vegetarian/vegan options plus house-baked pastries.
638 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$ Panera .5 miles (9 min walk)
Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.
656 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703

$$ Short Stack Eatery .6 miles (11 min walk)
Hip diner serving organic griddle & egg dishes, plus Bloody Marys (open Thursday–Sunday, 24 hours).
301 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703

$ Jamba Juice .5 miles (10 min walk)
Straightforward counter-serve chain for smoothies, juices & health-focused light bites
401 State St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$ Marigold Kitchen 1 mile (19 min walk)
Bright, counter-serve eatery featuring creative breakfast & lunch fare plus outdoor seating.
118 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703

Lunch and Dinner Options:

Fast:

$★ Ian's .3 miles (5 min walk)
Wisconsin-born chain known for its creative pizzas including its signature mac 'n' cheese pie.
319 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703

$Qdoba .3 miles (6 min walk)
Mexican chain for counter-serve, custom burritos, tacos & more, including health-oriented options.
2 N Park St, Madison, WI 53715

$$Forage Kitchen .3 miles ( 7 min walk)
Grab-n-go, salad and juice bar that "brings crave-worthy fresh produce, hearty grains, and hot proteins that will fill you up. We strive to bring whole food, made from scratch and in house daily, at a price that makes health more accessible to all."
665 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$Potbelly .4 miles (7 min walk)
Retro-style counter-serve chain known for made-to-order toasted sandwiches, salads & baked goods.
564 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$Sunroom Café .4 miles (7 min walk)
Hopping cafe serving global fare with lots of vegetarian/vegan options plus house-baked pastries.
638 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$Chipotle .4 miles (7 min walk)
Fast-food chain offering Mexican fare, including design-your-own burritos, tacos & bowls.
658 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$Pita Pit .5 miles (9 min walk)
Diners create their own sandwiches at this health-oriented counter-serve chain.
449 State St # B, Madison, WI 53703

$ Panera .5 miles (9 min walk)
Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.
656 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703

$Jimmy Johns .5 miles (9 min walk)

Counter-serve chain specializing in sub & club sandwiches, plus signature potato chips.
527 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$ Jamba Juice .5 miles (10 min walk)
Straightforward counter-serve chain for smoothies, juices & health-focused light bites
401 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$ Los Gemelos Restaurant .5 miles (10 min walk)
Lively, counter-service taqueria dispensing tacos, tortas & other Mexican street fare until late.
244 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53706

$Noodles .6 miles (12 min walk)
Counter-serve chain offering international noodle & pasta dishes from mac 'n' cheese to pad Thai.
232 State St, Madison, WI 53703

Asian/Mediterranean/Mexican:

★ $Mediterranean Café .4 miles (8 min walk)
Casual, compact cafe serving hummus, falafel & other Mediterranean fare at lunch.
625 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$Naf Naf Grill .4 miles (9 min walk)
Modern Middle Eastern counter-serve chain dishing up shawarma & falafel on pitas, rice or salads.
555 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$$Osaka House .4 miles (8 min walk)
Japanese eatery serving sushi, noodles & hibachi entrees along with vegetarian options & cocktails.
505 State St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$ Fugu .4 miles (9 min walk)
Standard Asian restaurant serving both traditional & updated Sichuan & Thai dishes, excellent dim sum.
411 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53703

$ Los Gemelos Restaurant .5 miles (10 min walk)
Lively, counter-service taqueria dispensing tacos, tortas & other Mexican street fare until late.
244 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53706

★ $$Himal Chuli .6 miles (12 min walk)
Pint-sized spot with an outdoor patio featuring Nepalese cuisine, including many vegetarian dishes.
318 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$$ Muramoto 1.2 miles (24 min walk or 5 min taxi)

Stylish spot serving Asian-fusion dishes & creative sushi (with all-you-can-eat deals) & cocktails.

225 King St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$Eldorado Grill 1.8 miles (30 min walk or 6 min taxi)
Casual eatery with Southwestern decor serving up Tex-Mex-barbecue favorites & margaritas.
744 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53704

Brew Pubs:

★ $$Nitty Gritty .2 miles (4 min walk)
Longtime bar & grill featuring free birthday beer, cocktails or soda plus pub grub & TVs.
223 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703

★ Dotty's Dumpling Dowry .3 miles (5 min walk)
Longtime local institution offering specialty burgers, cheese curds & tap beers in quirky digs.
317 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703

$Vintage Spirits and Grill.3 miles (6 min walk)
Bar & grill with a retro vibe with a big craft beer list including house brews & an outdoor patio.
529 University Ave, Madison, WI 53703

$$Roast Public House .5 miles (9 min walk)
Locally-sourced sandwiches & craft beers are served in a brick-lined storefront with sidewalk seats.
558 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$$Cooper's .8 miles (15 min walk or 4 min taxi)
Upscale Irish tavern serving pub grub & international beer & wine in a warm, contemporary venue.
20 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$The Old Fashioned .9 miles (20 min walk or 5 min taxi)
Wisconsin-themed, retro-style tavern offering beers, brats & cheese curds (all sourced in-state).
23 N Pinckney St #1, Madison, WI 53703

$$Brocach Irish Pub 1 mile (20 min walk or 5 min taxi)
Festive Irish pub known for upscale pub grub, Irish & Scotch whiskeys & live traditional music.
7 W Main St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co 1.1 miles (23 min walk or 6 min taxi)
A changing roster of craft brews & pub eats served in a lively venue with beer garden & pool tables.
123 E Doty St, Madison, WI 53703

$$Essen Haus 1.5 miles (25 min walk or 6 min taxi)
Bavarian restaurant featuring hearty German fare, a long list of imported beers & live polka music.
514 E Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703

Fancy:

★ $$$<a>Harvest</a> .9 miles (20 min walk or 5 min taxi)
Upscale spot overlooking Capitol Square offering farm-to-table New American fare & a long wine list.
21 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$Sardine 1.4 miles (30 min walk or 6 min taxi)
Hip bistro with creative French fare & a lively bar in a former warehouse with Lake Monona views.
617 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$Paisans 1.1 miles (20 min walk or 5 min taxi)
Longtime eatery featuring Italian fare, thin-crust pizzas & a patio with Lake Monona views.
131 W Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$$L'Etoile 1 mile (20 min walk or 5 min taxi)
Upscale farm-to-table spot serving French-inspired American fare, wine & cocktails in an airy venue.
1 S Pinckney St #107, Madison, WI 53703

★ $$$Fresco .6 miles (13 min walk or 4 min taxi)
Modern New American spot on the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art rooftop offering Downtown views.
227 State St, Madison, WI 53703

$$Graze 1.1 miles(20 min walk or 5 min taxi)
Lively gastropub plating farm-to-table comfort fare in a modern glass venue with Capitol views.
1 S Pinckney St #107, Madison, WI 53703

$$$Samba .5 miles (10 min walk)

Stylish churrascaria featuring a variety of all-you-can-eat meats cut table side & a large salad bar.
240 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53703

$$Tutto Pasta .6 miles (12 min walk)
Cozy, family-owned trattoria offering classic Italian cuisine, signature pasta dishes & a full bar.
305 State St, Madison, WI 53703