City Cast Madison logo

The Best Bar Food in Madison

Posted on July 2, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Ava Wojnowski

Ava Wojnowski

The fried pickles and waffle fries are a common bite to get at Tip Top Tavern. (Phil Surkis/ City Cast Madison).

The fried pickles and waffle fries are a common bite to get at Tip Top Tavern. (Phil Surkis/ City Cast Madison).

Wondering where to get a bite while sipping on your favorite cocktail? Look no further. Here’s a list of the best places to grab a bite — or even a full meal — while at the bar.

Caribou Tavern: This is a Madison classic, serving traditional Wisconsin dishes like cheese curds and brats. But, they are most known for their burger which is a must try according to many regulars. While you’re here, top off the Wisconsin experience with a good ole’ old fashioned.

Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge: This spot opened up back in November and has been a hit ever since. This dining room/cocktail lounge is a great place to grab a seasonal cocktail while also having some tasty late night snacks. From pasta to dumplings, their menu expands over a variety of cuisine to satisfy your cravings.

The Plaza Tavern: A staple for many Madison residents and UW-Madison students, plaza is the place to be. Their Plazaburger is revered by many — paired with a $3.50 Long Island iced tea on Thursday nights — makes for the pinnacle bar meal.

The Harmony Bar & Grill: For my fellow vegetarians out there, head on over to the Harmony Bar & Grill for their Famous Harmony Walnut Burger. This secret recipe has been around for 30 years and it makes sense why it has stuck around for so long.

The Paradise Lounge: If you are looking for a cheap bite to eat, the Paradise Lounge is your next stop. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the Paradise Burger is one of the top 10 burgers in Madison.

The Oakcrest Tavern: This spot on the West Side is not to be missed. For the fish fry fans out there, you can get their fish fry not only on Fridays, but Wednesdays too. But if fish isn’t your jam, they also have burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more.

Tip Top Tavern: Regulars rave about the Reuben and brisket over at the Tip Top tavern. Both are sure to satisfy these classic sandwich cravings. And perhaps you indulge in their Friday Fish Fry, a Wisconsin staple.

The Great Dane: From burgers to wings to salads, there’s something for everyone at this local brew pub chain. There are also a variety of beers for folks to try. A burger and a beer? Name a more classic combination.

Echo Tap: While they have the traditional menu options like burgers or cheese curds, you can also customize your own pizza. Then, top of your dinner with their donut bites, because what is not to love about that?

And if all else fails, odds are you can probably order a landjäger.

City Cast

The Local Meat Snack Popping Up in Madison Bars

00:00:00
see more:food

Share article

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Madison's Best

See All
Madison's BestOctober 13

Practice Shelf-Care at the Wisconsin Book Festival

Discover your next great read at the 25th annual Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration, Oct. 15-18. Enjoy free author events for all a...

A group of people browse a table of books in a bright sunlit space.
Madison's BestOctober 8

Your Favorite Spots To Meet Your Neighbors in Madison

City Cast Madison Neighbors share their favorite places in Madison.

Rolling green hills with wildflowers.
Madison's BestOctober 5

Where To Get Scared in Madison for Spooky Season

Looking for a scare this October in Madison? From horror movies to haunted forests and eerie ghost tours, here is your ultimate guide to...

A poster for "Jeckyll & Hyde" - a ballet dancer in black leaps in front of a foggy, London background.
Madison's BestOctober 1

What To Do in Madison in October 2026

Plan your perfect October 2026 in Madison! Check out the 25th Wisconsin Book Festival, cheer on the Badgers, tour haunted spots, and find...

City Cast Madison’s Hayley Sperling, Bianca Martin, Rob Thomas, and Jade Iseri-Ramos stand in front of a wooden arch-shaped bookcase that is holding books that will be featured at the Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration.
Madison's BestSeptember 23

‘Park People’ Will Satirize Madison’s Protest Culture

Madison filmmaker Corey Holl launches a crowdfunding campaign for his new political satire, "The Park People." Explore the proof-of-conce...

Two production staff members on the left hold equipment and a microphone for two actors sitting on a park bench being filmed.
Madison's BestSeptember 8

Ann Garvin Has a Surprise in Store For Her Readers

Madison author Ann Garvin shares her glee in throwing readers a curveball with her poignant, messy new novel, hitting stores September 8.

Author Ann Garvin poses in front of a red wall.
Madison's BestSeptember 1

What To Do in Madison in September 2026

Discover the best things to do in Madison, Wisconsin, in September 2026! From vibrant fall festivals to concerts and athletic events, pla...

A post for the theater show "Steady as She Goes" by Erica Berman. An illustration of a woman with blue flowing hair that looks like ocean waves.
Madison's BestAugust 17

Madison Artist Knocks It Out of the Park With Brewers Mural

Madison artist Emily Balsley unveils her new "Seventh Inning Stretch" mural at Fitchburg’s McKee Farms Park, inspired by her Brewers T-sh...

A woman paints a mural on a wall. The mural has a cornflower blue background and is populated with people and animals in Brewers uniforms and caps..

The latest in Madison

Food & DrinkOctober 15

What Do Madison Beer Drinkers Really Want?

Brewery owner Garth Beyer surveyed over 350 people about their beer and bar preferences. These are his takeaways about Madison's beer scene.

A man sitting in a chair pours beer into a glass.
Madison, ExplainedOctober 7

UW-Madison Professor Receives Nobel Prize in Physics

Discover the backstory behind UW-Madison professor Francis Halzen's Nobel Prize in physics for pioneering the IceCube Neutrino Observator...

An observatory at the South Pole. A metal structure sits on a desolate landscape with the cosmos above it.
Food & DrinkOctober 1

The Best Fall Drinks To Try in Madison

Looking for the perfect pumpkin spice or autumnal drink? Here is your guide to the best coffee shops and bars serving special fall bevera...

A group of multi-colored cocktails sit on a wooden bar.
Neighborhood GuidesSeptember 29

Browse the Imagination Center, Madison’s Newest Library

Explore Madison's new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park—the city's first public library in 26 years. Take a virtual tour of this vibran...

The outside of the Imagination Center. A blue tiled buildiing with a sign that read "Library."
Madison, ExplainedSeptember 28

What To Know About The Proposed BECI Transmission Line

The 190-mile BECI high-voltage transmission line aims to secure Wisconsin’s grid, but locals and the Dane County Board are demanding dela...

Two large electric towers stand next to a white house.
Food & DrinkSeptember 24

The Best New Restaurants in Madison

This month’s list of the area’s best new restaurants includes a new outpost for a wildly popular local pizza chain, a new sushi spot near...

People eating at booths in a restaurant with a glassed-in kitchen at the rear.
Madison, ExplainedSeptember 22

Know the Constitutional Amendments On Your Fall Ballot

Wisconsin's Nov. 3 election features key governor and legislative races—plus three Republican-backed constitutional amendments. Learn wha...

Multiple red, white, and blue "I Voted" stickers are scattered on a white table.
Madison, ExplainedSeptember 21

Big Changes Planned For Madison’s Breese Stevens Field

As Breese Stevens enters its second century, its owners plan to increase the number of concerts and events. But some neighbors of the fie...

A band playing on an outdoor stage in front of an audience.