Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Madison

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Madison? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro

4.8

4.8 (953)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Madison

About the restaurant

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro is located on the banks of the Sugar River in Paoli, WI. The Schoolhouse was built in 1864 and was converted into a restaurant in 2008. We pride ourselves in supporting local vendors and ingredients to bring you the best quality dishes.

Enjoy a meal in our beautiful bistro or on the deck/patio as weather permits. We have a great selection of wine, cocktails, and carry a variety of domestic and craft beers.

The Schoolhouse is also a great venue for small events - micro weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, baby showers, and any other celebrations!

Top review

Jeff

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing experience again. Been there twice and is now hands down my favorite restaurant in the Madison area

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4.7

4.7 (1962)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Madison

About the restaurant

Dining and libations on Capitol Square with an incredible view of the Capitol, Rare combines craft cocktails, in-house dry aged steaks and attentive service in an unabashedly old-school steak house setting. Madison's downtown steakhouse features specialty cuts dry aged in-house, like the Rib Cap and the Delmonico as well as offering more traditional cuts like our filet and our rib eye. Rare is also one of the only purveyors of A5 Wagyu in Madison.

Complimenting our steaks and entrees is a specialty cocktail list and an extensive wine list with everything from wines for a big celebration to a weekday dinner.

If you're just looking for a drink after work, Rare offers discounted cocktails, wines and snacks at happy hour.

Top review

Matt

Dined 2 days ago

It was our first time here and everything and everyone was wonderful. The staff was gracious and the food was outstanding!!

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4.7

4.7 (2188)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Madison

About the restaurant

Eno Vino Wine Bar & Bistro Voted "Madison's Best Wine Bar" By Madison Magazine Readers, consistently over the years. Eno Vino offers 200+ wines by the bottle & another 45 by the glass. From the beginning, Eno Vino was established as a place to share great wine, sensational, hand-crafted cocktails and fresh, inviting food. Whether you would like to entertain friends, enjoy an evening out with a loved one or unwind during happy hour ~ we invite you to enjoy an evening at Eno Vino.

**Please note**
For outdoor terrace reservations- Please call the restaurant at 608-455-0663.
Eno Vino does not accept Discover card or Apple pay.
All guests must be 21 years of age to drink alcohol, regardless of parental accompaniment.

Top review

RobVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Some of the best food offerings in town, on top of the most stunning views in town!

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Experience

New Years Eve- 5 Course Prix Fixe Menu

The Melting Pot - Madison

4.7

4.7 (649)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Middleton

About the restaurant

At The Melting Pot, fun is cooked up fondue style, creating an out of the ordinary dining experience.
You'll discover all the ingredients for a perfect evening, including attentive service, private tables, & an atmosphere of casual elegance. In addition to the cheese & chocolate fondues which have made The Melting Pot famous, they offer a fine selection of beef, chicken, seafood, vegetarian & gluten free entrees, as well as an exceptional wine list & a full bar. You may enjoy a romantic evening for two, a special occasion with forty of your closest friends, a dining experience to impress your boss, or a night out with the family. Whatever the occasion, an evening at The Melting Pot is always a celebration. Reservations are highly recommended. We do our best to ensure every guest receives the highest level of service. As such, we are unable to hold your reservation longer than 10 minutes past your selected time. If you are running behind schedule, please just give us a ring!

Top review

Charlea

Dined 4 days ago

10/10 would go again! Loved the service as well as the food!

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Experience

Christmas Eve

Experience

Holly Jolly Fondue - Available 12/21 thru 12/23

Experience

New Year's Eve Masquerade Party

Stone Porch Alehouse

4.7

4.7 (64)

$30 and under

American

Verona

About the restaurant

Stone Porch is named after it's huge stone wrap around porch but we don't let that vibe end there. Comfort food, refreshing cocktails to warm up the insides and a great team looking to make your visit memorable. Our head chef, Jacob Goldsberry, believes that from scratch is always best and that brings an authenticity to each dish that will remind you of home.

Top review

Krista

Dined 1 day ago

Waitstaff was so friendly and knowledgeable ! Food was great and service was quick !

Buck & Honey's - Monona

4.6

4.6 (1462)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Madison

About the restaurant

At Buck & Honey’s, we've taken great care to ensure your first visit makes you feel like you're stopping by an old friend's. We're locally owned and offer a wide variety of traditional fare made from scratch with only the freshest available ingredients.… Great pastas, tender steaks, fresh entree salads, unique specialty sandwiches, critically acclaimed Friday fish fry and our deliciously crispy thin crust pizzas round out our offerings. Check out the extensive wine list, craft cocktails and beer selections. Join us for live entertainment and special events. Located on the Yahara River in Monona, featuring 23 boat slips for boat parking and dock side carry out.

Summer months include patio seating, that is first come first serve, and non-reservable.

Top review

Pam

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

Nice ambiance, service and food was very good. Servers friendly and timely. Have been before and will continue.

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4.5

4.5 (1132)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Madison

About the restaurant

Lucille is currently open for indoor dining! For large group reservations (15+ people), please email us at info@lucillemadison.com or give us a call at 608-283-0000 for availability.

We are excited to have you in!

Top review

Tristan

Dined 6 days ago

Best Christmas pop-up in Madison! Fun drinks, great pizza, and wonderful service.

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Liberty Station - Madison

4.5

4.5 (554)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Madison

About the restaurant

Liberty Station - Madison offers BBQ and American comfort food in Madison.

Top review

Sarah

Dined on Nov 28, 2024

Everything was perfect so glad this was an option for Thanksgiving would definitely do it again

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Popular dish

Brisket Quesadilla

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Middleton, WI

4.5

4.5 (505)

$30 and under

American

Middleton

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

Tamara

Dined 1 day ago

JP is terrific at the tasting bar. Food has always been wonderful!

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Experience

Brunch & Bubbles | Saturdays & Sundays 10am – 2pm

Experience

Seasonal Chef Recommendations

Experience

Wine Tasting

Buck & Honey's - Waunakee