Madison's most culturally distinctive corridor, running east from the isthmus through Marquette. Madison Sourdough, Buraka Ethiopian, Lazy Jane's Cafe, Sardine on the lakefront, Cafe Domestique bike-cafe and ORIGIN Breads.
Sardine on Williamson Street, the French bistro inside the historic Machinery Row building on Lake Monona, runs steak frites and moules-frites lakeside.
Signature: Steak frites, Moules-frites
Order: Steak frites or moules-frites with a glass of the house white.
Tip: Weekend brunch runs 09:00 to 14:00; reserve via OpenTable for the lakefront window seats.
Ahan on Williamson Street, the Brown-Soukaseume family's Asian-inspired room, brings Laotian and Southeast-Asian dishes to the Willy Street corridor.
Signature: Laotian curry, Spring rolls
Order: A Laotian curry preparation, plus the spring rolls and a rotating special.
Tip: Reservations via the operator's site; takeout runs faster than dine-in at peak weekend hours.
Buraka on Williamson Street, Madison's Ethiopian flagship since 2000 on State Street, serves wat stews and injera at its Willy Street home since 2016.
Signature: Doro wat, Vegetarian combination platter
Order: A doro wat platter or the vegetarian combination served with injera.
Tip: Lunch combos turn the room faster than dinner; the spice level can be requested mild to hot.
Lazy Jane's Cafe on Williamson Street, the Marquette breakfast and bakery since 1998, runs scratch scones and brunch on the Willy Street corridor citywide.
Signature: Scones, Brunch plates
Order: A signature scone with a coffee, or the weekend brunch breakfast burrito.
Tip: Brunch only on weekends; weekday cafe runs 07:00 to 14:00 Monday through Friday.
Buraka on Williamson Street, Madison's Ethiopian flagship since 2000 on State Street, serves wat stews and injera at its Willy Street home since 2016.
Signature: Doro wat, Vegetarian combination platter
Order: A doro wat platter or the vegetarian combination served with injera.
Tip: Lunch combos turn the room faster than dinner; spice level can be requested mild to hot.
Ahan on Williamson Street, the Brown-Soukaseume family's Asian-inspired room, brings Laotian and Southeast-Asian dishes to the Willy Street corridor.
Signature: Laotian curry, Spring rolls
Order: A Laotian curry preparation plus the spring rolls and a rotating special.
Tip: Reservations via the operator's site; takeout runs faster than dine-in at peak weekend hours.