It’s a scenario that happens all the time. You get out of a concert, or a movie, or just a night out with friends, and you’re not ready to end the night. But instead of going out for another round of drinks, you’re looking for something to nosh on before bedtime.
On the City Cast Madison podcast, Madison Magazine food editor Emma Waldinger talks about the state of late-night dining in town. Here are a few of our favorite after-hours spots, from old standbys to new contenders.
100 State St. and 319 N. Frances St.
Grabbing a late-night slice at Ian’s has been a rite of passage for Madisonians for years. And if a big wedge of the restaurant’s iconic mac-and-cheese pizza isn’t quite your speed in the wee hours, you can always get a nice salad.
319 N. Henry St.
Smaller than a regular burger but bigger than a slider, the one-and-only Plazaburger is the perfect size for late-night eating. They haven’t changed the recipe since 1982 and won’t tell you what the creamy secret sauce is. Don’t forget they’re cash only.
102 King St.
Madison’s pointiest bar and grill has dinner service until 10 p.m. and then bar service until 2 a.m. They have great cheese curds and, for my money, the PBR fish tacos are the best in town.
414 W. Gilman St.
Russian dumplings might seem like an odd choice for late-night snacking. But Paul’s is open until 2 a.m. Thursdays and 2:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and once you’ve had the little beef and potato-filled delights covered in sauce, it’ll become a regular after-hours craving. And they’re so shareable!
444 W. Johnson St.
Getting breakfast at an open-all-night diner is an essential late-night experience. Though it’s not an open-all-night joint, Bassett Street Brunch Club levels up the experience with homemade donuts, French toast, breakfast burritos, and mimosas, all available until midnight.
116 S. Hamilton St.
You can’t get much more elegant after hours than the late-night menu at Madison’s unmissable steak house, which serves until 11:45 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. I recommend the steak sandwich but the menu includes such Tornado staples as escargot, sirloin steak, and Coquille Saint Jacques, all at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Lola's Hi/Lo Lounge's late night options include $3 tacos. (Hayley Sperling/City Cast Madison).
617 N. Sherman Ave.
This hip bar for cocktail and vinyl lovers alike is open until midnight Monday through Thursday in addition to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, making it a rare spot for weeknight late nights. Snacks include spicy popcorn and miso deviled eggs, and I think their chocolate budino is one of the best desserts in the city.
211 King St.
Open until 1 a.m. every night of the week, this unmarked hideaway in the First Settlement District mixes small plates with big pizzas for an eclectic menu. The three-cup chicken comes highly recommended.
700 State St. AKA Library Mall
If you and your crew can’t agree on where to go, the new State Street Night Vending program might be the answer. Started in April, the program is an “outdoor food court” of five Madison food carts on Library Mall that can serve eats until 2:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
