The 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin

"Fairchild, with its massive back bar and homey decor, reminds us of a Cheers-type of establishment where everybody knows your name. The key difference is this is one of the best places to eat dinner in the city, and the menu has more interesting stuff than a standard pub burger. They do dishes like cured hamachi, a bunch of excellent pastas, sweetbreads with sunchoke, and corn panna cotta that are plated like a Rothko painting. You’ll need a reservation, but they are usually pretty manageable if you plan far enough in advance and don’t have your heart set on 7pm on a weekend. Also, check out their large wine list that has a few fun picks from Portugal and Austria.  " - sarah probst