4 Best Restaurants in Madison, Wisconsin

Credited with spawning the country's Slow Food movement during the 1970s and 1980s under founder Odessa Piper, L'Etoile is a farm-to-table restaurant on Capitol Square. It is also Madison's most elegant restaurant. Chef-owner Tory Miller rewrites the menu daily based on what's in season at Dane County farms. Eclectic dishes like Korean barbecued rack of lamb are prepared using classic French techniques and adopt a global spin. Begin the meal with a charcuterie board featuring head cheese, house pickles, and pork rillettes, and conclude with a build-your-own Wisconsin cheese plate.

This cozy little Nepalese eatery is a staple among State Street's many ethnic restaurants. Kick off the meal with a cup of dal or plate of samosas, followed by a hearty vegetarian tarkari (spicy vegetable stew) of the day. Several poultry dishes, like chicken simmered in Nepali spices or prepared barbecue-style, will satisfy meat lovers. The combination platter is a veritable culinary tour of Nepal and includes momochas (steamed vegetable dumplings packed with peanut paste), a samosa, roti, and cup of dal. Be forewarned that while the waitstaff is kind, the service is slow.

The 50s-diner-meets-hipster atmosphere at Monty's Blue Plate Diner is a hit with locals, especially for all-day breakfast. For a true throwback experience grab a stool at the bar. Lunch and dinner items carry comfort-food flair, particularly Nana's chicken-noodle soup, yet vegans flock here for the BLT sandwich made with tempeh. Nonalcoholic shakes feature quirky names and ingredients, such as the Fat Elvis Shake or Burn One All the Way (a chocolate trifecta). There are also vintage ice-cream cocktails.

Occupying a corner along State Street in downtown Madison, this place specializes in fresh pasta, house-made breads, and indulgent desserts. The most romantic seats in the three-story eatery are on the lower level among stone walls and mood lighting. Pasta dishes are grouped under either red or white sauce on the menu, while heartier entrées such as pollo piccata (chicken breast sauteed in lemon-caper cream sauce) showcase true Italian cuisine. Paninis and pizzas represent lighter fare, with the build-your-own pizza a solution for fussy eaters. Don't leave without ordering a cappuccino, paired with cannoli or tiramisu.