Eat well in Madison for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.

Food tour in Madison

Madison Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats, & More

★ 4.9 (10)2 hfrom USD 70

Book now

Cheap eats worth seeking out

10 places

Ian's Pizza by the Slice

Try Mac and cheese pizza by the slice

Ian's Pizza on State Street, the outpost of Madison's slice institution founded on Frances Street in 2001, runs mac-and-cheese pizza and rotating creations.

DetailsDirections

Mickies Dairy Bar

Try Scrambler with hash browns and pancake

Mickies Dairy Bar on Monroe Street, the campus-side diner since 1946 across from Camp Randall, runs Wisconsin diner breakfasts and the legendary Scrambler.

DetailsDirections

Banzo

  • ★ 4.4
  • Israeli
  • $

Try Falafel sandwich and shakshuka brunch

Banzo on Sherman Avenue, the falafel cart turned brick-and-mortar Israeli kitchen, runs fresh falafel sandwiches, hummus bowls and shakshuka brunch.

DetailsDirections

Book food experiences in Madison

See all 28 food experiences in Madison

Buraka

Try Vegetarian Ethiopian sampler with injera

Buraka on Williamson Street, the Madison Ethiopian kitchen since opening on State Street in 2000, runs vegetarian and meat tibs samplers with injera.

DetailsDirections

Glass Nickel Pizza Co.

Try Specialty pizza by the slice or pie

Glass Nickel Pizza on Atwood, the east-side specialty pizza chain founded in 1998, runs creative pies and weekday slices at student-budget prices in Madison.

DetailsDirections

The Plaza Tavern

Try Plazaburger with fries

The Plaza Tavern on North Henry, the State Street campus bar since 1930, runs the legendary Plazaburger and cheap beer pitchers in a student-friendly room.

DetailsDirections

State Street Brats

Try Red brat with a side of cheese curds

State Street Brats on State Street, the campus bar since 1953, sells red and white Wisconsin brats with cheese curds and Spotted Cow taps for game-day crowds.

DetailsDirections

Paul's Pel'meni

Try Russian pelmeni with butter, curry and sour cream

Paul's Pel'meni on West Gilman, the late-night Russian dumpling counter near campus, sells a single dish of pelmeni with butter, curry powder and sour cream.

DetailsDirections

Parthenon Gyros

Try Gyro plate with fries and tzatziki

Parthenon Gyros on State Street, the long-running Greek counter on the pedestrian strip, serves gyro plates and souvlaki for a student-budget lunch.

DetailsDirections

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry

Try Melting Pot burger with onion rings

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry on North Frances, downtown Madison's burger institution, runs cheese-curd-topped burgers and hand-cut onion rings under $15 at lunch.

DetailsDirections

Where to stay in Madison

A sample of Madison hotels from our booking partner, who list 430 here. Live prices and availability open on their site.

Red Roof Inn Madison, WI Located in Madison, Red Roof Inn Madison, WI is within a 5-minute drive of East Towne Mall and Madison Area... Check dates Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Madison East When you stay at Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Madison East in Madison, you'll be near the airport and w... Check dates Deerwood Inn and Madison Campground With a stay at Deerwood Inn and Madison Campground in Madison, you'll be 13.8 mi (22.2 km) from Madison Blu... Check dates Madison Inn and Suites A stay at Madison Inn and Suites places you in the heart of Madison, within a 10-minute drive of Madison Pu... Check dates

Compare for next weekend: Holidu in Madison from USD 103/night · Expedia in Madison

Stays are listed by our booking partners, not editor picks. We earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you.