The places in Madison the guidebooks miss.
The places in Madison the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
Greenbush Bakery late-night donuts in Madison: bakery room. The Regent Street kosher dairy bakery runs almost 18 hours daily, with hot donuts from the fryer.
Why locals love it: The Regent Street kosher dairy bakery runs almost 18 hours daily, with hot donuts from the fryer through the small hours.
Tip: Walk in before midnight on a Saturday for the freshest donuts; the case rotates as the night staff fries them.
Curd Girl food truck is the madison cheese-curd food truck rotates locations daily; the website map is the only way to catch them in person.
Why locals love it: The Madison cheese-curd food truck rotates locations daily; the website map is the only way to catch them in person.
Tip: Check the Curd Girl Instagram on the morning of and time your lunch around the cart's stop near State Street.
Old Sugar Distillery is the east-isthmus madison craft distillery and tasting room from 2010 makes brandy, rum and bitters on east main street in marquette.
Why locals love it: The east-isthmus Madison craft distillery and tasting room from 2010 makes brandy, rum and bitters on East Main Street in Marquette.
Tip: Thursday through Saturday tasting hours; order an Old Sugar Honey Liqueur cocktail flight in the small bar before buying retail.
Gib's Bar upstairs lounge in Madison: cocktail bar room. The Williamson Street converted-house cocktail bar runs a small upstairs lounge with sofas, candle.
Why locals love it: The Williamson Street converted-house cocktail bar runs a small upstairs lounge with sofas, candle lighting and a tight by-the-glass spirits menu.
Tip: Climb the stairs to the upstairs lounge instead of staying on the first floor.
Settle Down Tavern on South Pinckney in Madison runs the city's most considered brandy Old Fashioned two blocks off Capitol Square, supper club homage.
Why locals love it: The South Pinckney supper club, two blocks off Capitol Square, runs Madison's most considered brandy Old Fashioned in a low-key dining room.
Tip: Sit at the bar instead of the dining room; the owners built the place as a supper club homage with a serious bar program.
Tornado Steak House on South Hamilton in Madison opens its bar at 17:00 and pours a Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned locals consider the city's standard.
Why locals love it: The South Hamilton supper club's bar opens at 17:00 and pours a Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned that locals consider the city's standard.
Tip: Bar opens at 17:00; reserve a 20:00 table on OpenTable and arrive an hour early to sit at the bar for the cocktail.
Lazy Jane's on Williamson Street in Madison runs weekend brunch with one of the city's longest-running scone programs since 1998, weekday counter trade.
Why locals love it: The Williamson Street scratch cafe runs weekend brunch with one of the city's longest-running scone programs since 1998, weekday counter trade.
Tip: Arrive by 09:00 on a Sunday or expect a 45-minute wait by 10:00; the bakery case sells out by noon every weekend.
Madison Sourdough on Williamson Street sets up a small Saturday egg-on-toast and laminated-pastry brunch counter most Madison residents don't realize exists.
Why locals love it: The Williamson Street bakery sets up a small weekend egg-on-toast and laminated-pastry brunch counter most don't realize exists.
Tip: Saturday mornings only; arrive by 09:00 for the kouign-amann before the line wraps past the bread counter.
Mickey's Tavern pinball room (Burgers) in Madison: Arrive before 21:00 on a weekend to claim a pinball table; cash bar tips appreciated for the bartender.
Why locals love it: The Marquette neighborhood east-side dive runs a small back room of working pinball machines alongside a strong burger menu and late kitchen.
Tip: Arrive before 21:00 on a weekend to claim a pinball table; cash bar tips appreciated for the bartender.
Paul's Pel'meni on State Street in Madison is the late-night Russian dumpling counter selling a single menu item until 02:00, the city's defining 1am snack.
Why locals love it: The State Street late-night Russian dumpling counter sells a single menu item until 02:00 and is the city's defining 1 a.m. snack.
Tip: Mix beef and potato pelmeni in one order; curry powder, butter and sour cream are non-negotiable toppings.