Best Madison Restaurants With Outdoor Seating
Monty’s Blue Plate Diner / Facebook
Madison, Wisconsin’s capital, is a great foodie destination. It serves innovative and traditional dishes from all over the world — without the hefty price tag of bigger cities.
Built around a number of lakes, Madison is also perfect for outdoor dining. Enjoy great meals with a side of gentle breezes and gorgeous water views.
These are the best restaurants in Madison with outdoor seating, ranked.
Dining Outdoors at Mariner’s Inn
There are two ways to arrive at Mariner’s Inn. You can be boring and arrive by land like everyone else, or you can arrive by boat. OK, we would definitely arrive by land because we don’t own a boat, but if you have a choice, always do like “Avatar” and choose the way of water.
Located on Lake Mendota, Mariner’s is waterfront dining at its best. The restaurant has been open since 1966 and specializes in steaks and seafood, a combination Wisconsin does to perfection.
Dining inside will get you nice views of the lake, while the outdoor patio is right on the marina. Stay for a beautiful sunset and to feel jealous of everyone lucky enough to have their own boat.
The restaurant also has a grassy lawn. In the summer, this is the setting for its “Live on the Lawn” concert series, an event the local community absolutely loves.
4. Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry
Location: University Campus
Price point: $
Yelp score: 4 stars
Dining Outdoors at Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry
Normally, we would tell you to avoid restaurants located on a college campus. But Dotty is an exception to this rule.
While most cities have fights over who has the best burger in town, Madison’s joints fight over who’ll come second to Dotty. We’re not exaggerating. This establishment has won Best Burger in Madison for 40 years in a row. Forty.
The melting pot burger is a fan favorite and the one you should try on your first visit. Accompanying it with a good glass of local brew is a must.