Mediterranean Cafe is a mediterranean and middle eastern restaurant in State Street, Madison.
Mediterranean Cafe on State Street, the family-owned Mediterranean and Middle Eastern counter near campus, serves couscous, falafel plates and kebabs to a student crowd.
Signature dishes: Couscous, Falafel plate
Must order: A couscous stew or falafel plate with Arabic tea.
Tip: Counter ordering keeps the line moving fast; lunch hours are calmer than the late-afternoon student rush.
Address: 625 State St, Madison, WI 53703
Paul's Pel'meni on West Gilman just off State Street, near campus, serves Russian dumplings in a counter-service room with two choices: potato or ground beef.
Signature: Potato pel'meni, Beef pel'meni
Order: A bowl of potato or ground beef pel'meni with butter, sour cream and curry powder on top.
Tip: Open until 23:00 weeknights and 01:00 on weekends; the late-night student traffic peaks after 22:00.
Paul's Pel'meni on West Gilman just off State Street, near campus, serves Russian dumplings in a counter-service room with two choices: potato or ground beef.
Signature: Potato pel'meni, Beef pel'meni
Order: A bowl of potato or ground beef pel'meni with butter, sour cream and curry powder on top.
Tip: Open until 23:00 weeknights and 01:00 on weekends; the late-night student traffic peaks after 22:00.
Cafe Hollander at Hilldale on the west side, the Lowlands grand-cafe inspired by the Benelux region, runs an extensive Belgian beer list, frites and moules.
Signature: Belgian frites, Moules
Order: Belgian frites with house mayo and a steam pot of moules.
Tip: Open 08:00 to midnight daily; the outdoor patio fills first on summer evenings.
Imperial Garden on Allen Boulevard in Middleton, the long-running Chinese restaurant since 1984, serves the area's voted-best Cantonese and Mongolian menu.
Signature: Cantonese seafood, Mongolian beef
Order: A Cantonese seafood preparation or Mongolian beef with a hot tea.
Tip: Lunch Monday-Friday 11:00-14:00; private rooms available for larger groups, free Wi-Fi and parking.
Bagels Forever on University Avenue, the long-running Madison west-side bagel bakery, hand-rolls New York-style bagels with lox and cream cheese daily.
Signature: New York-style bagels, Lox and cream cheese
Order: A New York-style sesame bagel with lox and cream cheese.
Tip: Open early for the morning rush; the wholesale supply runs across Madison restaurants and cafes.
Settle Down Tavern on South Pinckney, in the First Settlement District a block off Capitol Square, runs a tight tavern menu and a strong cocktail program.
Signature: Settle Down burger, Old Fashioned
Order: The Settle Down burger plus one of the rotating Old Fashioned variations.
Tip: Closed Sundays; weeknight 16:00 happy hour is reliably the easiest seat.
Salvatore's Tomato Pies on North Livingston, the Madison branch of the Sun Prairie Trenton-style pizzeria, runs tomato pies with sauce on top of the cheese.
Signature: Trenton-style tomato pie, Scratch pasta
Order: A Trenton-style tomato pie and a Wisconsin tap beer at happy hour.
Tip: Closed Monday; 16:00-18:00 happy hour Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday with $5 off 10-inch pies.
