Location: Madison
Top Restaurants in Madison
Top Things to do in Madison
- 1. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- 2. Wisconsin State Capitol
- 3. Memorial Union Terrace
- 4. Chazen Museum of Art
- 5. University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum
- 6. Camp Randall Stadium University of Wisconsin
- 7. University of Wisconsin - Madison
- 8. Capitol Square
- 9. Wisconsin Veterans Museum
- 10. Henry Vilas Zoo
Top 10 Italian food in Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Find out what Italian restaurants to try in Madison. The sprawling University of Wisconsin sets the tone for this college town of cafes, bookstores, brewpubs, numerous restaurants (more per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.) and a good share of cultural and historical attractions. Stunning glacial waterways make the City of Lakes one of the more picturesque state capitals in the country. More than 250 parks offer residents and tourists plenty of recreational areas to choose from. If you visit the campus, be sure to try the famous Babcock Ice Cream at Memorial Union or Babcock Hall, before or after a visit to the Elvehjem Museum of Art's collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities. And to really get into the college spirit, head over to State Street's eclectic range of ethnic restaurants. Be sure to try the mouth-watering bratwurst sandwich on a homemade bun at State Street Brats, a student favorite. At the end of State Street, the white granite, Roman Renaissance-style Capitol dominates the skyline and offers an observation platform for views of the city and lakes.
Things to do in Madison
10. Osteria Papavero
Overall Ratings
4 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By RealHungryMann
When my partner asked me if I wanted to try a new Italian restaurant--new in the sense that we had never been there before--I said sure, why not? I'm always up for a new culinary adventure. And since Osteria Papavero does not take reservations, we knew that it would be hit or miss...We arrived around 6:30 and the place was fairly packed. People were eating at the bar. The maître d' greeted us at the door and asked how many were in our party. When we replied that it was just the two of us she showed us to the last empty table in the place! Sweet!Our waitress Julie soon appeared and assisted us in selecting a bottle of wine. We ordered a cheese board and a salami board as appetizers, which was promptly brought to our table along with a basket of fresh bread. We ordered a bowl of the mushroom stew--Zuppa di Funghi--to share, and put in our order for our entrees. In pursuing the menu we discovered that this was not your typical Italian restaurant. I had my heart set on some baked lasagna, or perhaps some spaghetti & meatballs, but nothing even close to this appeared on the menu. Instead, there were dishes with squid, octopus, rabbit, duck pâté, etc. Not exactly my "cup of tea" so to speak.I settled on the Nduja--finely chopped Calabrian sausage served on a bed of linguine-like noodles with small pieces of smoked ricotta in a spicy tomato sauce. My partner ordered the Grigliata, a selection of meats--sausage, chicken, and sliced beef--served over tomato braised yukon gold potatoes and onions.While some reviewers described Osteria Papavero as "intimate and cozy" we found it to be anything but. It's essentially one big mess-hall like room, and somewhat noisy at that. There were families there, of course, clutching their children. And while our waitress Julie was fairly attentive, we were not very impressed with our entrees or the limited selections on the menu. The choices of food were just a bit too exotic for my particular taste. But if you're into squid, octopus, rabbit, duck pâté and the like, you might find this place rather delightful.Overall, the appetizers were good, the service was good, the wine was good, but we weren't exactly wowed by our entrees and the noisy ambiance. And it wasn't exactly cheap, either. We dropped about $200 for the two of us! We probably won't be in a rush to go back there any time soon...
9. Nonno's Ristorante Italiano
Overall Ratings
4 based on 92 reviews
Locally owned Italian Restaurant, offering salads, pizzas, homemade pastas and more. Open bar available with a large selection of imported and domestic wines and other spirits.
Reviewed By wijram
If you have never visited âNonno's Ristorante Italianoâ at Whitney Way and Odana, you MUST try this little Gem.While visiting Madison we called old friends to arrange a dinner together. They suggested we visit âNonno's Ristorante Italianoâ at Whitney Way and Odana. It was out-of-the-way for us, but we trusted the recommendation of these long-time Madison residents. Man, we are glad that we did!Both of our friends ordered a house salad and âSpaghetti Alle Polpetteâ (Spaghetti with marinara sauce, homemade meatballs & Pecorino Romano cheese.) ($14) They later pronounced both to be delicious,My wife ordered the âInsalata Di Mareâ (Shaved romaine hearts, calamari, jumbo shrimp, octopus, orange slices, grilled zucchini pappardelle, red onions & tomatoes, tossed with citrus olive oil dressing.) ($12) She thought the large-portioned salad to be âWONDERFULâ!I spotted an entre on the menu that I have never seen before. Being âthatâ kind of person, I had to order it - Ciocioppino (Livornese style fishermanstew made with shrimp, octopus, swordfish, manila clams, black mussels, scallops, lobstertail, & assorted veggies in a spicy saffron, tomato broth.) ($25) âBreath-takingâ might be going a little overboard, but it was REALLY Superb!We can attest that the food is fantastic. Parking is at the door of the restaurant. Décor is most pleasant. Service is attentive, but not intrusive, knowledgeable and helpful. The menu is diverse and wide. And, the prices - that alone will make you smile.You simply MUST TRY âNonno's Ristorante Italianoâ!!!!
8. Lombardino's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 263 reviews
Lombardino"s Restaurant, a staple in Madison, WI since 1952, features a chef driven menu that changes with the seasons. With the 1950's Italian American kitschy decor, one will find excellent, simply made Italian food of the utmost quality in a comfortab
Reviewed By davidnM6347FR
My wife and I went to Lombardino's on a date. We enjoyed a bottle of wine outside on the deck of a small place directly across the street prior to dinner at Lombardino's. I had the spaghetti bolognese and my wife had a pork with white bean dish, special during a Dine Madison promotion which involved a 3 course dinner for $25. My pasta was $18, with a house salad, $4 extra. The waitress was extremely good. She was very professional as well as just plain nice. If I owned a place, I'd try to hire her away from Lombardino's. Yes. We will be back.
7. Paisan's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 327 reviews
Reviewed By Rick B
We wanted a lake view for dinner. When I drove up to the main entrance, I was sure that there could not be a lake view, since the entrance was surrounded by tall buildings. We walked behind our server through this cavernous restaurant. We sat outside on a balcony that was at least three stories above the lake. Fabulous views. Our Italian food was delicious. The Chianti was fairly priced. A memorable evening.
6. Cento
Overall Ratings
4 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By Tony V
Location is the best, atmosphere is excellent, fresh, modern, crisp. Service is excellent, the waitress that took care of us was better than expected. Most of the dishes we ordered were acceptable, nothing to write Mamma about. Pricing is above what you'd expect for the quality you are receiving. The gnocchi dish is atrocious, should not be on the menu if the "chef" does not know how to make it, (hint: it's not mushy mashed potato)
What to do and see in Madison, United States: The Best Places and Tips
5. A Pig in a Fur Coat
Overall Ratings
4 based on 235 reviews
Mediterranean comfort food drawing inspiration from Spain, France and Italy. We offer shared plates in a cozy, communal dining experience. Please see our website for current menus.
Reviewed By Aspen P
I visited with co-workers while on a business trip. The location and atmosphere were great. The food is high-end, but the restaurant did not feel pretentious. We decided to get a range of dishes and share amongst ourselves. We tried the following dishes:- Dates: Stuffed with chorizo and covered in a chili sauce. They were delicious, a great balance between sweet and spicy.- Meatballs: Very tender, but just a meatball at the end of the day.- Foie Gras Mousse: Not my thing. I have a moral objection to the process of creating foie gras, so this may have colored my opinion.- Parisian Gnocchi: Fantastic! The most tender gnocchi I have ever eaten!- Beets: Beets are not my thing, the pickled carrots were very tasty.- Wagyu Ribeye: The steak was good. I'm not a fan of steak fat so I felt like I was discarding more than I would like at this price point. The lentil and vegetable salad it was served over was wonderful. Great flavor with just the right amount of acid.- Scallops: I could not try them due to allergies, but my colleagues said they were great.- Sicilian Sfingi: Interesting dish. It is an Italian doughnut in a chocolate sauce. The doughnut was dense with a touch of cinnamon flavor and not very sweet, and the chocolate sauce was on the dark side so did not add much sweetness. The overall dish was very rich.The staff was fantastic and knowledgable. Our waiter was more than happy to discuss the menu and make recommendations.
Madison Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Madison
4. Glass Nickel Pizza Co. - Madison East
Overall Ratings
4 based on 236 reviews
A Madison pizza treasure serving 21 years of unique, award winning pies with renowned salads, subs, homemade lasagna, pasta and more. Offering delivery, carryout, catering and dine-in with full bar on the venerable near east side. The Atwood neighborhood
Reviewed By Rebecca C
We recently walked over to Glass Nickel to get a pizza "to go". Hadn't had pizza in a very long time and was unfamiliar with how everything worked. The staff were very helpful in guiding me to the "right" pizza for me and the wait was accurately estimated by staff. We went home and thoroughly enjoyed our "cheeseasaurus" pizza - this is cheese pizza with 3 ingredients of your choosing. What's really telling is that we ordered a large pizza and between my husband and I, there was only a quarter left for the next day's breakfast. We'll definitely be back! Hello, thank you for your review, I'm so glad your pizza was delicious! Come on back again and see us soon!
Best Mediterranean food near Madison, Wisconsin, United States
3. Novanta
Overall Ratings
4 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By kjjh
Classic pizza done right. Fresh ingredients cooked in 90 seconds, service is always friendly, price is right. They have several mozzarella styles to choose from as well, and cannolli, although I never get that far. Run by same people as own the Cafe d'Alba in Hilldale, but here the focus is the pizza. Best in town.
Most Popular American food in Madison, Wisconsin, United States
2. Angelo's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 395 reviews
Reviewed By Kare D
WE love it the Pizza is my Favorite My Husband love the Pasta!!Work night it soda but on the weekend it a Glass or fine wine!!
Where to eat Seafood food in Madison: The Best Restaurants and Bars
1. Naples 15
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1114 reviews
My desire is to transmit joy,and emotions to others through food, in exactly the same way you share at your home with your family and friends, and share my cuisine and my Neapolitan Culture with sincerity and passion. Thank You, Chef Salvatore Di Scala Il
Reviewed By KaraBenNemsi11
Here I am, sitting at the bar and enjoying the wonderful company of other patrons, the staff and Sal. The food - outstanding. The chef, he excels in creating dishes and cooking the most wonderful Italian food there is.Award winning cuisine. World class.No other place as good and authentic.Want to come back again and again.Sal - you are so very special. Thanks for your care for your customers.
