28 cuisines represented in our Madison guide. Click through to the entry to see editor picks, what to order and how to book. Want a wider lens? All cuisines in this country or global cuisines index.

28 cuisines, most places first

Cocktail bar20 restaurants Brunch15 restaurantsBrunch in Madison spreads across the isthmus, from Capitol Square sit-downs to Willy Street neighborhood rooms. Bakery12 restaurantsMadison's bakery scene runs from naturally leavened bread to late-night donuts, with a strong cluster along Williamson Street. Brewery10 restaurants Cafe10 restaurantsMadison's cafe culture is dense and walkable, mixing coffee roasters with all-day kitchens across the near-east and downtown. Pizzeria10 restaurantsMadison's pizza scene runs from late-night by-the-slice counters to wood-fired sit-down rooms. Burgers9 restaurantsThe Madison burger is a tavern burger, griddled and ordered alongside a beer, and the State Street area is its heartland. New American8 restaurantsNew American cooking is where Madison's farm-driven, seasonal kitchens do their most distinctive work, much of it within reach of Capitol Square. Street food7 restaurantsMadison's street food grew up around its food carts, with the Library Mall and Henry Mall stretch near campus a longtime gathering point. Italian5 restaurantsMadison's Italian dining splits between old-guard west-side rooms and newer downtown pasta kitchens. Wine bar5 restaurantsMadison's wine bars range from retail-and-pour shops to bar programs tucked inside restaurants. American diner4 restaurantsThe classic Madison diner is a counter-and-booth breakfast institution that opens early and trades on regulars. Russian4 restaurantsRussian and Eastern European food has a cult following in Madison through one dish above all: the pelmeni dumpling. British gastropub3 restaurantsThe British gastropub format in Madison pairs a serious kitchen with a proper bar, and it concentrates around Capitol Square. Ethiopian3 restaurantsEthiopian food gives Madison its injera-and-stew tradition, eaten by hand from a shared platter. Mediterranean3 restaurantsMediterranean food in Madison spans the eastern Med, from falafel and hummus to grilled plates. Steakhouse3 restaurantsThe Madison steakhouse tradition favors the supper-club register, where the meal comes with a brandy Old Fashioned and a relish tray. American2 restaurantsMadison's American cooking leans on the Wisconsin tavern tradition: a Friday fish fry, cheese curds and a brandy Old Fashioned poured at the bar. Greek2 restaurantsGreek food in Madison centers on the gyro and the souvlaki counter, with State Street its natural home in a student-heavy downtown. Laotian2 restaurantsLaotian cooking is one of Madison's more distinctive Southeast Asian threads, built on larb, sticky rice and bright herbal heat. Modern European2 restaurantsModern European cooking in Madison means a small set of ambitious, seasonally driven kitchens working from local farms. Tex-Mex2 restaurantsTex-Mex in Madison leans toward the cheerful, margarita-driven cantina format on the east side. Belgian1 restaurantBelgian cooking is a small but distinct corner of Madison's dining map, built around mussels, frites and a deep beer list. Chinese1 restaurantChinese restaurants are part of Madison's everyday dining fabric, with the larger sit-down rooms tending toward the suburban edges.