Madison's Best New Restaurants

Each month, we run down the best new restaurants in the Madison area that have either opened or announced plans to open in the near future. If you know of any that we missed, drop us a line at madison@citycast.fm.

March 2026

Fairway Lounge (Fitchburg)

The former Benvenuto’s Italian Grill location on McKee Road is now a golf simulator lounge that includes a full bar and pizza from Salvatore’s Tomato Pies.

Pink Heifer BBQ Saloon (State Street)

The owners of this Monticello barbecue spot have opened a fast-casual version of its restaurant at 567 State St., including brisket sandwiches and mac ‘n’ cheese with pulled pork.

The Original Steaks and Hoagies (Far West Side)

This new spot on High Point Road near Alicia Ashman Public Library sells Philly cheesesteak sandwiches as well as other sandwiches and loaded fries. Look for their food truck at various festivals and other events this summer.

Amisto (Downtown)

An upscale Mexican restaurant is coming to the space at 313 W. Johnson St. that Estrellon used to occupy. In the liquor license application submitted to the city, the anticipated opening date is Aug. 1.

The Perch (East Side)

Mint Mark is opening its own outdoor cocktail bar on the sixth floor of the building it occupies on East Washington Avenue, where you can have a drink and enjoy the view or wait for your table downstairs. They’re shooting for an April 13 opening date.

Bri’s Fresh Bakes (Sun Prairie)

A favorite at the Sun Prairie Farmer’s Market, this bakery is opening its first brick-and-mortar location on Main Street on March 28.

Sista’s Chicken and Fish (South Park Street)

After building up a following selling catfish steaks and gumbo from its food truck, Sista’s is opening its own physical location on April 6 at the Amoco gas station at 1129 S. Park St.

Doc’s Place Supper Club (Oregon)

The space formerly occupied by The Ready Set at 113 S. Main St. will become home to Doc’s Place, a restaurant that will evoke supper club vibes with steaks, relish platters, and “old fashioneds for days.” Expect an April 22 opening.

February 2026

Baked Lab (Atwood Ave.)

Pastry chef Shawn Bolduc opened his first brick-and-mortar space at 2044 Atwood Ave. on Feb. 21. In addition to the baking classes and made-to-order cakes that Baked Lab is known for, the new space will serve snacks and Nordskov Coffee during the day and plated desserts and beer and wine in the evening.

Ba Lao (Willy Street)

The owners of Ahan opened this cozy bar on Williamson Street as a place for folks to wait for a table at their acclaimed restaurant. But it’s a great space on its own, serving cocktails and fun snacks like a veggie summer roll and lao bratwurst.

GM Banh Mi (Campus area)

Located inside the oLiv Building on West Johnson Street, this Vietnamese cafe offers green tea infused with pomegranate and ginger syrups, Vietnamese egg coffee, and, of course, the titular sandwich on freshly-baked bread.

North Italia (Hilldale)

This Italian restaurant chain will open its first Wisconsin location at Hilldale sometime in 2026 in the space that was formerly Amara, offering wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and “garlic knot sliders.”

Cool Sweet Treats (Park Street)

It’s never too cold for an ice cream treat, and this new spot at 405 S. Park Street serves ice cream bars, sundaes, cold drinks, and other goodies. Follow them on social media for daily specials.

January 2026

Himali Chulo (State Street)

Himal Chuli is gone. Long live Himali Chulo! The grandson of the founders of the legendary State Street Nepali restaurant is planning to reopen the spot in February with a slightly different name, similar menu, and many of the same employees.

Wish Upon a Wiener (Stoughton)

Gourmet hot dogs used to be all the rage in Madison with spots like O.S.S. Madison, and this Stoughton pop-up aims to keep that spirit alive. Can’t wait to try the PB&J-inspired The Teacher’s Pet.

Tall Grass (State Street)

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is getting a new restaurant from Ho-Chunk chef Elena Terry, who plans to turn the former gift shop space into a cafe with homemade soups and pastries, with an eye towards dinner service down the road. The opening date is as hazy as an impressionist painting, but Terry is thinking late spring or early summer.

Jinx Coffee (Sun Prairie)

What started as a coffee truck serving commuters on University Avenue has now become a charming coffee shop in Sun Prairie, with the shop’s namesake cat watching over the customers.

Eloura (Capitol Square)

Fresh off the success of their Indian-Italian fusion restaurant Zafferano Ristorante, the owners are opened a Mediterranean-East Asian restaurant on the Square on March 3.

Barrett’s Bagels (West Side)

This bagel business that draws long lines at the Monroe Street Farmers Market will get its own brick-and-mortar location on Speedway Road (kitty corner from the Village Bar) this summer.

Kanto Fiesta (Far East Side)

This Filipino pop-up known for lumpia spring rolls and pork belly adobo is the latest tenant at Global Market and Food Hall.

Cinn City Smash (Madison Public Market)

The popular smash burger/churro food truck is one of the first tenants to move into the Madison Public Market when it opens in March.

Cervato (Madison Public Market)

Timber Hill Winery in Milton is behind this small plates concept, also confirmed for the Public Market.

The Chowpati (Madison Public Market)

Also coming to the Madison Public Market is this Indian street food restaurant – think chai and chaat.

December 2025

Taj Indian Cuisine & Bar (Park Street)

A longtime Park Street favorite that was displaced by development reopened up the street in the former Borough Beer Company spot. The location shift comes with a shift in focus, as the restaurant offers an extensive craft cocktail menu in addition to North Indian cuisine.

Osteria Novella (University Avenue)

Former Bar Corallini executive chef Giovanni Novella opened his new restaurant in the former Novanta location on University Avenue. Its seafood-forward menu is inspired by Novella’s childhood on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

NOB Bar & Grill (Sun Prairie)

This new restaurant and sports bar opened on Bristol Street in Sun Prairie, offering “a taste of the East Coast with a twist of Sun Prairie niceness.” The menu is limited at launch, but includes burgers, smoked sausage, and chicken wings.

Colectivo Coffee (Willy Street)

The Milwaukee-based coffee shop chain opened its fourth Madison location on Dec. 3 on Williamson Street.

Friends Applaud Tavern (Bay Creek)

Expect an “Irish bar with French sensibilities” in this spot, set to open this spring in the Bay Creek spot that formerly housed Black Rose Blending. The owners haven’t committed to a specific style of food because they still need to build a kitchen in the location.

November 2025

One Social Food Hall (Downtown)

For the adventurous or the indecisive, a food hall has a lot to offer. One Social Food Hall currently has several vendors – Senora Machetes (an offshoot of Senor Machetes) offering Mexican food, Palio serving Tuscan-style pizza and pasta, Casey’s Tavern offering burgers and other pub grub, and Real Seafood Co. serving up lobster rolls and tuna poke bowls. Swing by One Social Bar for a cocktail or a Wisconsin beer to go with your meal.

One Prime Steakhouse (Downtown)

Located next door to the food hall is this new upscale steakhouse, taking full advantage of the panoramic views of Lake Monona while serving Waygu Tomahawk steaks, lobster tails, wedge salad and more.

Blue Jack Cocktail Lounge (Downtown)

The final piece of what’s now being called One Social District is this chic cocktail bar offering classic and innovative cocktails, an extensive spirits list, and appetizers.

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. (Far West Side)

This new coffee shop on Odana Road is part of a small Midwest chain started by two Yemeni entrepreneurs. In addition to cappuccinos and caramel macchiatos, they serve Turkish coffee and a Qamaria Latte that mixes espresso and steamed milk with cardamom and cinnamon.

Union Corners Tavern (Near East Side)

The former home of Taste of Ukraine on Winnebago Street is now an upscale tavern from the owners of Rare Steakhouse. The menu includes traditional favorites and a few twists, such as dumpling tacos and a grilled cheese sandwich with goat cheese, arugula and fig jam.

Jade True Food (Middleton)

This new spot on Parmenter Street focuses on brunch items like omelets, waffles and avocado toast.

HERS Sushi Bar and Ramen (Oregon)

This restaurant on Janesville Street is serving comforting bowls of ramen, specialty sushi rolls, and rice bowls.

Stella’s Bakery & Cafe (Regent Street)

Stella’s new spot on Regent Street means you won't have to wait until the farmer's market for their Hot & Spice Cheese Bread, selling baked goods along with coffee, wine and beer.

October 2025

Canter Inn (New Glarus)

Chefs Samantha Kincaid and Jon Nodler, who met on the Madison restaurant scene in the 2010s before earning critical acclaim for their Philadelphia restaurant Cadence, are back in Wisconsin to start this restaurant (and future B&B) that celebrates New Glarus’ Swiss heritage for both locals and visitors.

Blackjack Ramen (Downtown)

Getting past Hump Day has never been easier or tastier with RED Sushi’s new Wednesdays-only ramen popup, where you can pair your tonkotsu with a sake-spiked lychee slushie.

Mi Barrio (Johnson Street)

Bad news: El Rancho Breakfast & Tacos on Johnson Street closed. Good news: This new Mexican restaurant immediately took over the space, serving up tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more.

Hot ‘N Spicy (Monona Drive)

Speaking of hot and spicy, this Laotian spot is moving out of the Viet Hoa Market and into its own space in the same strip mall, in the place previously occupied by Mishqui Peruvian Cuisine.

Golden Nest Pancakes & Cafe (University Avenue)

Known for breakfast items (including “pancake flights”), this small Wisconsin chain is hoping to open in the space vacated by Panera on University Avenue in January.

Veil and Vault (First Settlement District)

Shh! A new speakeasy bar is coming downtown this winter to East Wilson Street. The owners say it won’t have an obvious entrance or windows, require a password to order a drink, and have a special members-only area to enhance that “secret” vibe. Stay tuned, next week the bar’s owner will be on City Cast Madison spilling some of their secrets.

September 2025

Sern Sapp (Willy Street)

Laotian food is back on Willy Street in the former location of Lao Laan Xang (now on Atwood Avenue) The owner is part of the same family, and has the same commitment to Laotian comfort food, serving both familiar dishes like pho and others that might be new to Madison diners.

The Herbiery (East Side)

Good news for fans of this Winnebago Street nanobrewery that made beer with herbs instead of hops. After being closed for a few months, it’s back open with a new tap list and limited food menu.

Ian’s Pizza (Verona)

Now Verona residents can enjoy late-night mac ‘n’ cheese pizza and other slices, as the Madison pizza chain is planning to open a new location in the Mill District Apartments by next spring.

Stuffed Bagels (Stoughton)

A breakfast spot specializes, as the name suggests, in bagels stuffed with cream cheese and dipped in garlic butter. Looks like ooey-gooey goodness.

Pota Madre (Stoughton)

If any town would welcome a “Norwegian street food” concept, it’s Stoughton. This food truck serves up baked potatoes filled with a variety of toppings, some of which might be a little spicier than your typical Scandinavian foodie is used to.

August 2025

(State Street)

This new coffee shop opened at 430 State St. in the space formerly occupied by Sencha Tea. In addition to java, they serve ooey-gooey breakfasts for those with a sweet tooth.

(Downtown)

At the start of the football seasonl, this new bar has opened at 328 Gorham St. in the space where Danny’s Pub used to be. They have gluten-free beers on tap, a dance floor, and of course, the Badgers on the TV.

(Park Street)

The sons of the owners of the popular Taj Indian restaurant on Park Street, which closed in 2019, plan to revive it at 444 S. Park St. in the space formerly occupied by The Borough. The menu will take Taj Indian’s traditional dishes forward, with a full bar and Indian fusion dishes. Expect a mid-September opening.

(Fitchburg)

After a string of violent incidents and police calls that put its liquor license in doubt, the former Monkeyshines Bar & Grill in Fitchburg is hoping to turn the page by remodeling and rebranding as Cornerstone. The new incarnation is now open.

(Willy Street)

The beloved A Pig in a Fur Coat restaurant on Willy Street closed on September 26. It will become the second location for the Italian deli and sandwich shop Alimentari, also from the same owners.

(North Side)

Little Tibet, the popular Tibetan and Himalayan restaurant on E. Johnson St., is also embracing the store/restaurant hybrid trend with a second location in the Northgate Shopping Center on North Sherman Avenue. The cafe serves momo, curries and boba tea, while the market sells a wide array of Southeast Asian grocery items.

July 2025

The Victory Cafe (East Side)

The Atwood Avenue coffee shop got a triumphant reopening 10 months after it was seriously damaged by a fire. The cozy feel of The Victory is largely intact, although the floors are refinished and a new tin ceiling shines overhead.

Mexli (South Madison)

The building just off the Beltline between Selective Video and a 7-11 has been a lot of different restaurants over the years. But based on the early buzz, Mexli might have staying power. The Mexican restaurant distinguishes itself by focusing on breakfast and lunch, from breakfast burritos to ranchero omelets.

JavaAbilities (Monona)

This new locally-owned coffee shop on Monona Drive offers a full breakfast and lunch menu along with its coffee. But its mission goes beyond food and drink, as the owners aim to create an inclusive environment particularly for both diners and employees with disabilities.

Ashirwad (State Street)

The owners of The Globe and Triangle Market have another State Street venture, an Indian restaurant on the 100 block. Ashirwad (the name roughly translates as “blessing”) is a bright and cozy restaurant that serves favorites like lamb biryani and chicken tikka masala.

Dreamy Teazy (North Madison)

This spot on North Sherman Avenue offers boba tea and smoothies along with a selection of sweet treats, including tiramisu, rice cakes, and fruit cake rolls.

Tailer Nicole Wine and Cupcake Lounge (Black Business Hub)

This elegant, hotly-anticipated lounge is open on the first floor of the Black Business Hub on Park Street. It’s envisioned as a space where people, especially women, can refresh and recharge. Staff will offer wine and cupcake pairing suggestions, and they’ve just launched a Saturday brunch menu.

DeVine Grilling (Black Business Hub)

Perhaps less elegant, but just as delicious, is the brick-and-mortar location in the Hub for the popular food cart. Oxtips, jerk chicken nachos, smoked mac & cheese, and more are on the menu.

June 2025

HWY 1 (Monroe Street)

The new fast-casual spot from Food Fight is open on Monroe Street next to Everly, offering Baja-inspired burritos and bowls. They also have a Happy Hour special on weekdays with half price drinks and nachos.

Honey Barrel (Verona)

Located in the former location of Hodge Podge, this lounge specializes in good whiskey and well-made Old Fashioneds, including offering “Old Fashioned flights” for the adventurous.

Wings Over Madison (University Ave.)

After closing for a while, this franchise relaunched, offering wings and chicken tenders in a wide range of flavors, from Cajun Voodoo dry rub to Full Throttle buffalo sauce.

Baked Wings & Things (State Street)

Speaking of wings, this long-awaiting locally-owned restaurant opened in July in the prominent space at State and Johnson streets that has been vacant since Cosi closed in 2015.

Gobi Hot Pot & Mongolian Grill (Far West Side)

The former HuHot Mongolian Grill location on Junction Road is now Gobi Hot Pot, which promises “bold flavors” and customizable options along with bubble tea and wine.

Candy Cloud (Downtown)

This specialty drink cafe opened on West University Avenue down the block from Liquid, offering a wide variety of flavored tea, coffee, lemonade, and plant-based caffeine drinks.

Sern Sapp (Willy Street)

Laotian food returns to 1146 Williamson St., formerly home to Lao Laan-Xang’s second location. Sern Sapp will focus on the lunch crowd with its mix of Laotian specialties and Southwest Asian dishes.

May 2025

Jinx Coffee Co (West Side)

Commuters in a hurry on University Avenue can stop into this locally-owned drive-up coffee stand in the parking lot of Felly’s Flowers. Jinx has a full selection of hot and cold beverages made from Madison’s Rusty Dog Coffee and 6&12 Tea Co., and the owner’s two-year-old cat is featured on every cup.

Dinotto Deli (Downtown)

This long-awaited sandwich shop that’s a spinoff of D’Vino opened on Webster Street in a former Cousins Subs. It’s an Italian deli and grocery store that serves piled-high sandwiches like chicken parmesan, muffaletta, and meatball grinders.

Pa’Que Roberto (Southwest Side)

I’ve heard good things about this restaurant located next to the Kwik Trip on Raymond Road, which serves Venezuelan street food, including arepas, empanadas, and the savory pastry known as pastelitos. The place is small, and carry-out is the focus.

Rasta Barista (Black Business Hub)

This new coffee shop opened on the first floor of the Black Business Hub on Park Street. As the name implies, it uses beans sourced exclusively from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica.

April 2025

Paleo Mama Bakery (Park Street)

This gluten-free bakery opened its brick-and-mortar location on Park Street in the former Barriques, selling both its own baked goods as well as like-minded products from other retailers.

Cafe Mimi (Downtown)

This spot is oriented around pickup and delivery, where diners can pop in during lunch and dinner hours Monday to Friday to grab Korean corn dogs, pork kimbap, sweet and tangy chicken tenders, and more.

Leopold’s Book Bar Caffe (Regent Street)

Everybody’s favorite cocktail bar/bookstore/coffee shop has added a food menu into the mix, offering deviled eggs, oysters, and other small bites from the bar. They’ve also gotten into the Sunday brunch game with neighbor Fabiola’s Spaghetti House.

Vitruvius Cafe (Middleton)

Named after the ancient Roman architect (I looked it up), this cozy Middleton coffee shop mixes a full coffee and pastry menu with gorgeous interior design and a little jazz on the weekends.

Istanbul Mediterranean Kitchen (West Side)

This Turkish spot is a food truck found

at Fresh Mart on University Avenue, and offers the crispy-crust Turkish pizza known as lahmacun, ground beef adana kebabs, and of course baclava.

Custom Mac & Cheese Bar (Downtown)

As the name suggests, this fast-casual spot on North Frances Street puts you in charge of your noodles. Using a self-serve kiosk, you pick the noodles, the cheese, and the toppings, and it’s made fresh while you wait.

Caffe Aronne (West Towne Mall)

A New York-based coffee chain opens its first Madison location at West Towne Mall.

Gyro Guyz (Far West Side)

This restaurant on Gammon Road near the Woodman’s offers gyros, falafel, babaganoush, and more.

Kutty Leaf (Far East Side)

Located near the big UW Health East Madison hospital, this restaurant offers a full menu of South Asian cuisine, including chili paneer, vegetable biryani, and chicken tikka masala.

Little Sweet (State Street)

You can’t go wrong serving boba tea to the UW-Madison student population, and this State Street spot offers a wide variety of boba and milk teas, along with both Italian and Asian-inspired apps and entrees.

Nar Turkish Halal (North Side)

This no-frills spot on Fordem Avenue boasts meat and rice platters and wraps, all prepared halal.

Viet Town (Far East Side)

A former MOD Pizza near East Towne Mall has been transformed into a homey Vietnamese restaurant, with sizzling beef platters and crab noodle soup.

Los Atlantes Mexican Restaurant & Bakery (Park Street)

The third location for this Mexican restaurant and bakery opened in the former Lane’s Bakery location, serving tacos, burritos, and chimichangas along with an all-day breakfast menu and favorites such as pozole and mole.

Cafe Domestique (Near West Side)

The Madison coffee shop opened a third location in April on Allen Street just off Regent Street in the space formerly occupied by The Heights. The shop partners with GlouGlou pop-up wine store next door and become a wine bar in the evening.

Cafe Zaragoza (South Madison)

The new Mexican restaurant on South Park Street from the owners of the former Cuco’s on the east side is as expansive as its menu, including a vegan menu and a large event space.

El Gran Taco Gato (Southwest Madison)

The new Latina-owned restaurant on Williamsburg Way combines the owners’ two favorite things – tacos and ice cream. The tacos, quesadillas, and burritos are made in a food truck outside while the interior is an ice cream parlor offering up to 16 varieties of handmade ice cream.

Cordial (Park Street)

The friendly cocktail bar (which, coincidentally, hosted City Cast Madison’s launch party back in the day) has added a food menu Wednesdays through Fridays, including Wisconsin cheese plates, shareables and sandwiches.

Fya Syde Kitchen (Monroe Street)

A new Jamaican-style restaurant had its soft opening in April on Monroe Street, in the space where Taberna Tacos & Tequila was for less than a year. The menu mixes traditional entree items like burgers and sandwiches with a Caribbean twist.

February 2025

Zafferano Ristorante (Fitchburg)

This new restaurant inside the Wyndham Garden Hotel on Fish Hatchery Road in Fitchburg combines Indian and Italian cuisine (the name is an Italian twist on “saffron,” a common ingredient in Indian cooking).

Teriyaki Madness (Far West Side)

This Denver-based fast-casual Asian chain says it will open its first Madison location this week on Mineral Point Road near West Towne Mall. It offers made-to-order teriyaki bowls with a variety of proteins.

Chin Up (Downtown)

In addition to having the kind of name we need in 2025, Redditors have been abuzz over the quality of food at this new takeout/delivery Chinese restaurant on West Gilman Street that was formerly home to Ramen Kid.

January 2025

Alimentari (West Side)

The European-style deli and food shop, formerly on Brearly Street, opened in its new home on Monroe Street in Knickerbocker Place to offer an expanded selection of meats, cheeses and wines.

Caribou Coffee (Far East Side)

The Minnesota-based coffee chain has nearly 500 locations, including over 50 in Wisconsin. But it hasn’t had one in Madison until a Caribou Coffee opened just on American Parkway near the UW Health East Madison hospital.

(State Street)

Apex Grill offers Korean barbecue with an emphasis on to-go orders. The menu features several kinds of bulgogi, as well as entrees such as spicy squid and kimchi fried rice.

Thalaiva’s Restaurant (Middleton)

After a brief stint as a Mexican restaurant called “Fajitas, Tapas and Bar,” the former Roman Candle location on Parmenter Street is now home to this new restaurant offering Indian and Indo-China cuisine.

Nano Sweet Cafe (Far West Side)

This coffee shop on Mineral Point Road prides itself on its Middle Eastern delicacies, including Lebanese Nights and sweet cheese rolls. It also offers Italian tiramisu and French crepes along with smoothies and fruit salads.

Atico Lounge (Capitol East)

The Moxy Hotel on East Washington Ave. got a rooftop restaurant specializing in Latin American cuisine and cocktails. Its location near both Breese Stevens Field and The Sylvee should make it a favorite for pre- and post-concert visits.

Izakaya Kuroyama (State Street)

This fun and elegant downtown spot could be likened to a Spanish tapas bar, with affordably-priced Japanese “street food” and craft cocktails.

The Fiering (Stoughton)

This upscale restaurant is now open on

Stoughton’s Main Street, conveniently located near the Stoughton Opera House for pre-show dining. Expect a New American menu that includes fresh pasta and seafood and a robust vegan menu.

Taco Madre (Schenk Atwood)

The former Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery on Atwood Ave. is now a Mexican restaurant from the owner of both A La Brasa restaurants in town. The menu is similar, although tortillas are handmade with local masa.

December 2024

Molten Monkey Pizza (Tenney-Lapham)

The new Detroit-style pizza restaurant opened in the East Johnson Street spot formerly occupied by Salvatore’s Tomato Pies. Owner Otto Dilba, who co-founded Ale Asylum brewery, said he spent over a year perfecting authentic and yet innovative Detroit pies, such as the chicken tikka masala-inspired Tik Tik Boom, and the Piggly Figgly with ham and fig jam.

Meep Meepleton’s World of Fun (Near East Side)

The vintage toy store on Willy Street wants to have fun with its first foray into food, so owners Dave and Amanda Farrar are opening a hot dog stand in the empty lot behind the store. No word on an opening date, but the couple are planning some “bonkers stuff.”

Orchard

(Verona)

The owners of The Cider Farm closed their west side taproom at the end of December to focus on a new venture, an upscale gastropub in Verona that features locally-sourced ingredients and, of course, cider tastings.

Little Tibet Market & Cafe (North Side)

Combo dining/retail spaces seem to be all the rage in Madison lately, and the owners of Little Tibet on Johnson Street are getting into the game. The storefront on North Sherman Avenue, scheduled to open next spring, will feature Indian groceries and Tibetan crafts as well as hot foods like samosas and Tibetan dumplings.

November 2024

Ancora Cafe + Bakery (Monona)

The Madison-grown coffee shop’s fourth location is also its smallest, which is why it has Ancora’s first drive-thru lane. The food menu for the drive-thru is more limited, with just breakfast sammies and a yogurt parfait. Come inside for the full menu – the breakfast burrito hits.

Stalzy’s Deli (Schenk-Atwood)

The shop known for its piled-high sandwiches has repurposed to focus on catering and a retail-only business, removing its ready-made sandwiches. Same high-quality ingredients, but now we’ll have to make that Rachel sandwich at home ourselves.

October 2024

The Kickback (Middleton)

This arcade bar is the first restaurant to open in the new Middleton Market Food Hall, which is envisioned as a cold-weather home for some of the city’s favorite food carts. The Kickback offers over 50 pinball machines and arcade games along with pizza, snacks, and 12 craft beers on tap.

Public Parking (Tenney-Lapham)

JR Mocanu, a Madison native who has spent the last few years in Texas, came back home to open this craft cocktail bar with Jack Yip. In addition to the classics, expect Japanese bar food served with some adventurous new creations.

Babes at Vitense (South Madison)

The 35-year-old bar and grill on Schroeder Road, dubbed “Madison’s ‘Cheers’” by one local broadcaster, closed in 2019 to make way for a housing development. But it’s now moved across the street to Vitense Golfland with its vibe and much of its menu intact, including the beloved “Babes Nachos.”

Far Breton Bakery (Northeast side)

Pastry chef Marie-Arzel Young has added a cozy 15-seat cafe to her bakery on Fordem Avenue, serving sweet and savory crepes along with Rusty Dog coffee and hot chocolate, done Parisian style.

Taigu (Old Middleton Road)

Taigu, known for its handmade noodles in Middleton, has opened a second location in Madison on Old Middleton Road, in the space formerly occupied by Knoche’s Old Fashioned Butcher Shop. Dishes like chicken Dan Dan noodles and sweet and sour chicken will be served for both lunch and dinner.

RED (Downtown)

The elegant and popular sushi restaurant on W. Washington Avenue has expanded across the hall, including a second dining room, bar area, and private event spaces. New menu items are promised along with the increased elbow room.

MOKA Coffee (North side)

The La Crosse-based coffee chain just opened its eighth location in Madison, a small drive-thru kiosk in the Northside TownCenter.

September 2024

New Here Coffee (Downtown)

This spacious coffee shop opened in the oLiv Madison building at 339 W. Gorham Street. Menu includes coffee from Chicago’s Counter Culture Coffee, wraps and a solid breakfast sandwich.

Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge (North Side)

Lola’s, the popular cocktail lounge and restaurant at 617 N. Sherman Ave. built around a love of vinyl, announced earlier this month it would be expanding into the space next door formerly occupied by Burkhalter Travel. The new spot, dubbed the Sidecar, will be available for private rentals and serve overflow traffic in the main bar. Reservations are being taken starting in December.

Grey Market (East Capitol)

Grey Market has opened in the former Dark Horse Art Bar at 756 E. Washington Ave. The 45-seat bar hopes to lure visitors and residents in the growing East Capitol neighborhood with oysters and seafood-centric dishes.

El Aguila Real (Downtown)

The location at 226 State St. that housed Nick’s Restaurant for decades is now home to a new Mexican restaurant with empanadas, enchiladas and burritos. The restaurant boasts on Instagram that its carnitas are like “a hug on a plate with a spicy kick at the end!”

Vintage Brewing Company (Cross Plains)

The venerable Madison-area brewpub and restaurant just opened its fourth location west of Madison at 1200 Main St. in Cross Plains. As in the other three locations, the restaurant has a core menu that matches the others while giving the freedom for the chef to introduce a few new dishes. The nachos are highly recommended, drizzled with peach BBQ sauce, but make sure you have someone to share them with.

Famous Yeti’s Pizza (Stoughton)

The Stoughton pizza spot that had been on Main Street for over a decade has now reopened inside the Stoughton Wellness and Athletic Center, 2300 U.S. Hwy. 51, with a twist. Connected to the restaurant is Stoughton’s first arcade, Basecamp Arcade, offering over 40 machines for before and after-dinner gaming.