Ian's Pizza by the Slice ★ 4.5
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.
Try: Mac and cheese pizza by the slice
Eat well in Madison for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Cheap eats worth seeking out
Mickies Dairy Bar ★ 4.4
Mickies Dairy Bar on Monroe Street, the campus-side diner since 1946 across from Camp Randall, runs Wisconsin diner breakfasts and the legendary Scrambler.
Try: Scrambler with hash browns and pancake
Banzo ★ 4.4
Banzo on Sherman Avenue, the falafel cart turned brick-and-mortar Israeli kitchen, runs fresh falafel sandwiches, hummus bowls and shakshuka brunch.
Try: Falafel sandwich and shakshuka brunch
Buraka ★ 4.5
Buraka on Williamson Street, the Madison Ethiopian kitchen since opening on State Street in 2000, runs vegetarian and meat tibs samplers with injera.
Try: Vegetarian Ethiopian sampler with injera
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. ★ 4.2
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.
Try: Specialty pizza by the slice or pie
The Plaza Tavern ★ 4.3
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.
Try: Plazaburger with fries
State Street Brats ★ 4.2
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.
Try: Red brat with a side of cheese curds
Paul's Pel'meni ★ 4.5
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.
Try: Russian pelmeni with butter, curry and sour cream
Parthenon Gyros ★ 4.1
Parthenon Gyros on State Street, the long-running Greek counter on the pedestrian strip, serves gyro plates and souvlaki for a student-budget lunch.
Try: Gyro plate with fries and tzatziki
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry ★ 4.3
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.
Try: Melting Pot burger with onion rings
Book food experiences in Madison
Madison King Street Spirits Ghost Walk: Haunting Tales
Uncover the eerie history of Madison's oldest district on the King Street Spirits Ghost Walk. Hear ghost stories and urban legends from expert storytellers.
Madison Wisconsin: Guided Downtown eBike Tour
See all the highlights of Madison in just two hours on our easy to ride eBikes! Join local guides to see the beauty of Madison and learn about the culture and history ...
Madison: Flying Dress Photo Shoot
You are cordially invited to the most memorable experience of your life. Slip on the dress and transform into someone you have never experienced before!