The Old Fashioned

Restaurant · First Settlement ·

The Old Fashioned

Restaurant · First Settlement ·

Wisconsin tavern with local beers, brats, cheese curds & Old Fashioneds

Information

23 N Pinckney St #1, Madison, WI 53703 Get directions

$20–30

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

The 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin - Madison - The Infatuation

"If there’s one restaurant that celebrates the best of Wisconsin, it’s The Old Fashioned. The space is covered wall to wall in vintage photos, illuminated Schlitz and PBR antique signs, and a taxidermied lake fish or two. You should come here for a casual lunch or dinner to eat cheese in almost every form, and sip one of the 150-plus Wisconsin beers. The wait here after 5:30pm can be long, but that’s because things like fried cheese curds and walleye sandwiches are so good and cost less than $20 (along with most other things on the menu). Be prepared for the couple next to you to strike up a conversation—friendly chit-chat is the ultimate Wisconsin pastime, after all." - sarah probst

https://www.theinfatuation.com/madison/guides/best-restaurants-madison-wisconsin

Nicole Hansen

The Old Fashioned

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

The Old Fashioned - Review - Capitol Neighborhoods - Madison - The Infatuation

https://www.theinfatuation.com/madison/reviews/the-old-fashioned

Nicole Hansen

The Old Fashioned

@postcardnews

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

Capitol Square’s ode to Wisconsin taverns serves a wood-grilled burger on a buttered hard roll with Bavaria bacon and cheddar. Frequently recommended by Madison Magazine and Travel Wisconsin; the cheese curds are essential.

https://theoldfashioned.com/food

Best Burgers in Madison (2025)

The Old Fashioned

@postcardnews

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

A love letter to Wisconsin tavern culture: beer-battered cheese curds, brandy Old Fashioneds, and supper club staples near the Capitol. Frequently spotlighted by national outlets and locals alike as a rite-of-passage Madison meal.

https://theoldfashioned.com/

Best Restaurants in Madison (2025)

The Old Fashioned

@megancollins

7 Postcards · 1 City

Also makes a great old fashioned (not surprisingly)

The Best Cheese Curds in Madison, Wisconsin

The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant

Through Bec Specs Travel B.

Google

Stopped by The Old Fashioned in Madison and loved it. The location right off the Capitol Square is perfect, and the atmosphere is classic Wisconsin—cozy, lively, and great for grabbing a drink and food. The cheese curds are a must-order—crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and totally live up to the hype. We also grabbed drinks at the bar and everything hit the spot. Great food, great drinks, great vibe. Would definitely come back next time I’m in Madison.

Heather L.

Google

Popped by The Old Fashioned before a concert at the Orpheum. We were pleasantly surprised not to have to wait for a table on a Saturday night. Our server was wonderful. I debated a long while whether or not to give this place a 3 or a 4 but the food really influenced my rating. My partner got the spicy burger which was incredibly dry. So dry, in fact, he only ate half of it and had no desire to bring the left overs home. I had the turkey club which was decent. The issue I had was the bread was the temperature of the items that comprise the sandwich. The bread was toasted and buttered which was good, but everything else was cold somehow. Including the bacon. The side salad was solid though. I know everyone loves The Old Fashioned and it's a Madison institution, but I don't know if I would bring out of town friends here. There's better food found elsewhere on the Square, in my humble opinion.

Mark S.

Google

One of my favorite places. Amazing food, outstanding service (3 cheers for TJ the Bartender). A fun, warm & friendly old school supper club charm. The cheese curds with the Tiger sauce are simply the best in the world...a must have. You also can't beat the Door County Cherry Salad with a piece of salmon added on. Make sure to wash it down with Schlitz draft or a Brandy Old Fashion. Heaven on earth!

Maia H

Google

A great place to get food near the Capitol! They don't take reservations, but it is a pretty big restaurant. We were able to get a table for 7 seated in less then 30 minutes on a Saturday evening. The drinks were good, would recommend the old fashioned! The cheese curds were also worth it!

Celene S.

Google

We've been coming here at least once a year for the last 12 years. The old fashioned burger is our favorite menu item, except for the poutine, and omg is the poutine good. We are from Phoenix or we'd be here more often. Lol everything is fresh, the ground beef is so good and the bacon and fresh egg on the burger is just amazing. We also had the cherry salad and wow the dressing is soo good. Service has always been top notch. And if there's a wait, they do get busy, it's worth the wait.

Keith L.

Google

Atmosphere is great. Near the capital with tons of old beer memorabilia inside. Old fashioned beverages were also great. However the food was just lack luster outside of the cheese curds.

Jillian J.

Google

I love coming here, always have such a great time! If you go for your birthday, you get “birthday pickles” which is literally a side of pickles with a candle on it…I would have much preferred a beer tho! Food is always spot on, generous portions and a great selection of beers to choose from. I tried the old fashioned with korbel cherry bounce and it was delicious and very sweet. We got the cheese curds, chicken and biscuits dinner and the hickory smoked bacon Mac and cheese.

SamP

Google

The atmosphere here was great and the staff were all very friendly and attentive. We tried the cheese curds, those weren’t my favorite. However, the root beer on tap was incredible! For the entree I had the Mac and Cheese but I asked to add chicken to it so I had some protein too. They were happy to do so and it was more than enough for me! I will go back the next time I’m through the area!

Doug B.

Yelp

I'd give them 4.5 stars but bumped it up due to the host and our server being spot on. Stopped in for lunch with my 9 year old grandson and had a great time! The restaurant is a local hot spot and it did not disappoint. The decor is fun and engaging. We were told it would be a 30 minute wait and were seated in 15. The greeter / host was bright, fun and engaging and our server was attentive making sure we, and especially the 9 year old, were not neglected. We ordered Mac n Cheese with apple sauce, Cheese Curds, french fries and Chili, 3 pictured. Grandson liked the cheese curds but the Mac n Cheese didn't hold up against Kraft boxed... LOL, I tried it, it looked and tasted great but if your kid .. oh, if you have a kid, you know what I mean... The fries were very good, crispy as I like them and the Chili was very very very good.

Vince L.

Yelp

It's a happening place. Lots of offerings in the form of foods and drinks. Put your name and phone in, and get a text when a table opens. You can also sit at the bar. We got cheese curds, because you just have to. Well fried and tasty! I got the wall-eye sandwich. It's a whitefish fried in batter between burger buns. Hot, fresh, and almost too much food for me. Would definitely return.

Christine I.

Yelp

A hot spot in Madison! Everyone from the area told me about this place so obviously I had to stop in. I ordered the spicy burger with a side salad. I got to try some of their cheese curds here and I will say do not skip out on that! Prep some Lactaid if you're lactose intolerant. Their burger tasted better than it looks. Not spicy but if you like the flavor of pepper jack and jalapeño, definitely get it. Their salad had a restaurant dressing mixed in. I forget what kind but it was good! Service overall was nice. Our server was incredibly friendly!

Fabian R.

Yelp

Located across the street from the state capital building is this cool dive bar. There is mainly street parking from what I could see. After entering I see that this place holds records for most old fashioned ever served and knew I had to try one. I also ordered a chicken sandwich since it was lunch time. The food and service were swift. Overall this was a great visit for my first stop in Wisconsin.

Doug G.

Yelp

Friday evening in downtown Madison and we find ourselves at The Old Fashioned for Friday night fish fry, cheese curds and of course, an old fashioned! We walked in around 8:15 PM and they were rocking! The wait was around 30 minutes, but we lucked up and grabbed a couple of seats at the bar. We quickly bellied up to the bar and began enjoying ourselves. First was a round of cocktails followed by some cheese curds then our fish fry. Old Fashions, superb. Cheese Curds, legit best I have ever had. They were light, airy, perfectly fried and featured just enough cheese. The curds were excellent on their own, but the dipping sauce elevated those little nuggets of gold! We both went fish fry, as apparently that's a big thing in Madison. I went perch and my buddy went combo. The fish was good, nothing great. Well fried, but lacked seasoning. I do appreciate them whipping up some homemade cocktail sauce for me as I'm not a huge tartar guy. The space is gorgeous. Dining stretches from the front door/windows to the back wall/kitchen. Decor is a mix of new and old, with a lot of old school Wisconsin relics from signage to tchotchkes to decorticate steins. Service was solid at the bar. Our bartender was friendly, helpful and quite pleasant to deal with. The hostesses left something to be desired. It was towards the end of the night, so they were probably tired, but they were not exactly a friendly welcome. Another thing that was impressive was the price we paid for two meals, an appetizer and 4 drinks...just shy of $80 including 20% tip! Certainly worth it! Overall, really enjoyed Old Fashioned. Happy to swing through on my next visit to Madison!

Lindsey B.

Yelp

Great restaurant, very homey, nice environment and all the servers were super nice. The beer soup was a little too salty but I liked the cheese curds and the salad.

Brian F.

Yelp

6 of us came here yesterday at noon because it was quaint, close to the capital and the menu looked good. The service was good even though the server let us know they didn't have more than 3 things we wanted from what we'd seen on the menu. That wasn't her fault. The cheese curds we mostly batter, my double brat was ill prepared (unless that was the they usually it is usually done) with two brats placed side by side on what looked like a soggy hamburger bun, with a full 1/4 inch thick slice of onion covering everything. Since when do you have to eat brats in a Wisconsin restaurant with your fingers, one at a time. It would have been much better on a hoagie bun with chopped onions. The drink special shown on the table was mostly ice but the beers were very good. I will however give it another try next time I am in Madison.

Jenni H.

Yelp

Going into a weekend trip to Madison I heard from every local to go to The Old Fashioned. I now know why! First off, this Madison staple oozes character. The walls are adorned with vintage, eclectic signs. Second, the menu is all things Wisconsin. No frills, but great portion sizes. Something for everyone and at a pretty reasonable price (especially considering its locale). I enjoyed the wedge salad (huge!), cheese curds (divine), Wisconsin cheese soup (not what I expected but worth a try), Old Fashioned burger (perfection), chicken dippers (handmade and delish) as well as the fries (salty goodness). Absolutely no complaints here! Third, a spot named after a drink should have a good drink menu. And the menu at this gem does not disappoint! I had a taste of its namesake and it was well done. But the star, to me, was the Slush. It said on the menu it was form grandmas very own recipe and I don't doubt it. Brandy, OJ and lemonade frozen!? Yes please. FINALLY, this spot is always hopping. It is a local favorite that doesn't take reservations. Be prepared for a wait. We lucked out and were able to squeeze in within 15 minutes. The staff is phenomenal. From the host to our waiter-- 10/10. The Old Fashioned serves up Wisconsin favorites-- it boasts outdoor seating and has something for everyone. Don't miss out!

Max M.

Yelp

Visited the good ole Old Fashioned Friday night to try their fish fry. We stopped by around 7 pm and surprisingly there was no wait for a party of 2. We started off with their cheese curds which were really good (good flavor, nice pull, and crisp outside). I ordered the fried walleye which came with fries and slaw. I had high expectation given the walleye was featured on food network etc., but will say it was good but nothing mind blowing. The walleye had a crisp batter and was cooked well, but for $19 it wasn't worth to me for the size of the fish. We also had the pork schnitzel which was fantastic. The schnitzel was cooked very well and was well worth the price. Overall, good experience!

Jake A.

Yelp

I had a huge prime rib with mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, and some deep fried onions. I asked for a side salad which was delicious as well. I was surprised at how fantastic the food was, since the vibe is a bit divey. The food is a solid 4 stars and the service was solid. However, you might want to bring ear plugs because the conversations I overheard were awful, just some of the weirdest or raunchiest or rudest kind of dialogue you can imagine. LOL. I got in the zone and pounded my prime rib and peaced out.

Melissa K.

Yelp

This was closer to a 4.5 star experience food-wise, but I am rounding up overall score for the great service our server, Rory, provided (we found out it was only her 2nd shift!). Our table of 3 sat on the patio around 11 AM on a Saturday. The patio was partially shaded and it was fun people-watching as the farmers market was happening across the street. It was about a 5 minute wait to be seated. As I mentioned above, Rory was very attentive and kept scanning her section to ensure waters were filled and nobody needed anything. One member of our party had the sloppy joe w/ side salad, which he said was very flavorful. The other two shared the vegetarian lazy susan tray, which definitely represented classic Wisconsin fare well! The table also shared the chips and onion dip as well as the wedge salad. The homemade potato chips were amazing. We thought the prices were very fair and the food was fresh. We all agreed we would come back the next time we're in town.

Anna B.

Yelp

It's awesome being right on the capital square and the food is so good. I had someone in town visiting and knew we needed to stop here for lunch. Everyone has to try their cheese curds. We had a great table by the window with a view of the capitol. We started our meal with the amazing cheese curds and then both had the wedge salad. One of the best wedge salads I've had. The perfect amount for lunch. The staff was friendly and the food was delicious. A must stop in Madison.

Annie G.

Yelp

3.7/5 The beer cheese soup is decent--- beerly and flavorful. The burger is good, especially the beef patty, well-seasoned with pleasant spices. Also very juicy. The sunny-side up egg is great, liquidy, and delicious. Salad is good, the dressing is decent as well (ranch-like, a bit sweet, was good). I don't feel much freedom to personalize the food, except k can choose how well the patty is cooked. I asked if the salad dressing can be other type (I saw the brandy dressing, which sounds interesting), but I couldn't. Not complaining, just saying that this is what I had. Service is okay. They didn't describe much about the food itself, more of giving me several names that tourists like to order. In general, this is a place I'd check out as a visitor of the city, but maybe with friends (so that you can try different types of food).

Cristina M.

Yelp

Perfection! With the name Old Fashioned, I knew it was going to be great! Stopped in for lunch and there was a 15 minute wait but the char is first come first serve and we were able to score two seats! Ordered patty melt , onion rings and deviled eggs .... Yum yum yum . Everything was delicious! The decor is fantastic with amazing beer signs and old style chandeliers. I wanted to buy a souvenir hat or tshirt but o forgot.... Lucky me ... I'll have to return next time I'm in the great city of Madison!!

Joshua P.

Yelp

I must say that best cheese curds I've ever had. I NEVER order burgers at restaurants but I went out on the edge and did. I was not disappointed at all. First time I've had a burger seasoned to perfection. I'm. It a fan of large onion rings so when i say these small flaky onion rings, my heart started singing. Our waiter was amazing and recommended some other great options off the menu. I definitely recommend this spot. If I'm ever back in Madison, I will be back.

Tracy L.

Yelp

Pleasantly surprised but the food. Reasonable prices for the quality and portion. The Haystack Onion Rings were seasoned, thinly cut, and extra crispy- addicting. The Cheese Curds were one of better ones I've had at a restaurant. Pickled Baby Beet Salad was fresh and huge portion. I added chicken, which was generous and nicely grilled. We were passing through Madison and decided to stop in for lunch. It had over 2k reviews, so I was hoping it wouldn't be a tourist trap. It was a random Friday afternoon, but they couldn't seat us at a table (even though there were a few open). So, we sat at the bar, which at least gave us quicker service.

Jack L.

Yelp

First time trying this, was highly recommended by anyone I asked and lived up to expectations! It's your classic college town big restaurant, where if you go at the wrong time you could get a 2 hour wait but the food was great! Drinks were affordable and I loved the onion rings! Would be a great place to be on Saturdays during the season but I'm sure that's not a secret

C. B.

Yelp

Great vibe, great drinks and great staff! Don't sleep on the cheese curds, best in town.

Vanessa B.

Yelp

The food, drinks and service were fantastic! Full service menu at the bar with a great mix drink menu. I took the bartender's recommendations of cheese curds, fish and chips and a local bourbon. Everything was very tasty! A must in Madison.

I D.

Yelp

This is such a cute and iconic spot. Always so busy but if you don't mind waiting, I would go. The food all times of day is really good. The old fashioneds are fantastic (and that's coming from someone from Chicago). Vibes are killer. It feels so Wisconsiny and homey! Good service. All around great spot.

Samira H.

Yelp

It was my first week in Wisconsin and everyone told me about cheese curds. So we went to the place that is famous and was on Food Network, they're honestly very good. Highly recommend. The restaurant is cute! I still don't get why they have T-shirts hanging out in the front. From the outside it looks like a whiskey bar. The sandwiches were what you would expect from an American restaurant. It's not your ethnic grandma's house so don't expect any flavor. Very nice staff! I recommend this place

Jean O.

Yelp

Loved the Perch Fish Fry! And the brand Old Fashioneds. Good Wisconsin Comfort Food! Will return next time we are in Madison.

Alex R.

Yelp

Heard great things about the Old Fashioned and wanted to give it a try. I found that the entrees were great, but I tried the Cheese Curds and I wasn't impressed. I found them too greasy for me. The server was fast and efficient. Another drawback was that the tables were pretty close to each other and found it hard to hear everyone at my table.

Greg D.

Yelp

Welcoming staff, very efficient in service and neat menu selection. Food was tasty. They really move customers in and out without feeling rushed.

Alex L.

Yelp

Must stop in Madison. If you need to stop for one place for cheese curd. I recommend this place. Right in the heart of downtown and across from the capital. Cheese curds nice and oily and flavorful. Something about cheese and oil and fried is really good. The burger is very tasty. Quick service restaurant if you are in a rush. Great selections of foods that's will get you staring at the menu trying to decide what to get. I got their old fashion burger and it did not disappoint. Must try and get each time. But there also so many other great items on the menu but unfortunately I was not there visiting long enough to get other items in the menu and I just couldn't eat any more after the burger and cheese curds. Restaurant was nice and clean. Always my go to when ever I'm in town for work at least once per trip

Frank T.

Yelp

Came here after seeing article on the fish fry. Staff is friendly and helpful. The place is classic. We loved the place. the menu is extensive. We had to have the fish fry - perch. The perch was fresh and moist but needed hot sauce to flavor it up. It comes with cole slaw, great matchstick potatoes. 6 pieces at a great price. We also ordered the cheese curds. It comes with two sauces and are yummy. lightly battered and gooey cheese. Also had the beer cheese soup and were salad. The soup is okay. Needed something like sherry to flavor it up a bit. It's not too thick. The wedge salad is humongous. comes pre sliced which was really nice. We couldn't finish the salad. it was quite good. excellent bleu cheese. bacon bits and croutons. a meal by itself.

Donavan R.

Yelp

I will have to come back because I've heard nothing but great things hence why I decided to try it out, but had such a bad experience. This review is coming a few weeks late as I forgot about this experience until I was in Madison today and was looking for places to eat. I came alone on New Year's Eve. I came to the restaurant for the deviled eggs and I asked the server if they were good (even though it's pretty hard to mess up deviled eggs) and he said they're really good but honestly they were worst I've ever had. They tasted like straight up mayonnaise with yellow food coloring and a hint of mustard. I tried drowning them in salt and pepper but still could only manage to eat 3/12. I asked my server between a sandwich and the mac and cheese and he advised to me the mac was one of the best menu items. It was rock hard, dry, and had absolutely no flavor. I only had 2 bites and couldn't do it anymore. The snow bounce cocktail was 90% ice and 10% drink which was horrendous as well. It looked nothing like the image on the menu. The only thing I could bear to consume was the lemon drop shots and boy did I need them after this experience. My server was not at all attentive to me. After I was seated he only came to take my order, (other staff brought my drink and deviled eggs) he brought me my main course, and then didn't come back once after. Didn't ask me how I liked everything after I got my food and I had to flag him down to get the check but then he brought the check right away and took my card and brought that back immediately. Meanwhile he was striking very pleasant conversations with the other tables around me about their new years plans and things. I don't know if it was because I was alone or what but I definitely felt like I was purposely being ignored. I may return someday with a group and see if it's any better but this was the worst meal and experience I've had in Madison.

Nancy H.

Yelp

What a sandwich! I went with 2 co-workers and we first ordered the cheese curds and they were excellent and I normally don't think that much of them. For dinner I ordered the prime rib sandwich and it was huge and I could only eat half. The meat was tender and lean snf cooked to perfection. It was topped with cheese and mushrooms, my mouth is watering thinking about it. The restaurant was busy but we were seated right away. The waitress took our drink orders shortly after we sat down. I had a Margarita which was cold and tangy. Cute place with a good amount of college students.

Rod H.

Yelp

Try the Lazy Susans Miesfeld Market Holiday Garlic Salami, Bavaria Kitchen's Braunschweiger, smoked trout, creamed herring, Dusseldorf mustard, pickles, deviled eggs, Widmer's Brick & Vern's Sharp Cheddar spread with a side of crackers & rye

Kelly T.

Yelp

We arrived in Madison today for a few days and decided to have lunch at this restaurant. It was a very popular choice and has a great location near the Capitol. The menu offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches, was entrees. I opted for a wedge salad with grilled chicken added. The portion was very big. The chicken tasted great. The salad ingredients were very fresh and tasty. The only unusual thing is that comes with French dressing, and a tiny bit of blue cheese dressing. I asked.my server for some additional blue cheese dressing, and he quickly accommodated my request. My husband had the tenderloin sandwich with onion straws. It was a huge sandwich and very tasty. Those onion straws were also delicious. The only criticism was that the air conditioning was not fully working, and the restaurant was a little hot.

Clarissa C.

Yelp

This is consistently named as a quintessential spot for food in Wisconsin, Madison! We were seated immediately on a Friday at 5:45pm, though the restaurant was incredibly packed. Lots of people sitting and standing at the bar for a drink, and the vibes were cheerful and loud! Our server introduced all the specials to patrons around us... but didn't really speak to us. The food was okay! The cheese curds are named best in Wisconsin by Food Network. While I appreciated the light batter, they did come out cold. The Old fashioned burger was ordered medium, but came out well done. I'd recommend under ordering so that your order comes out perfectly! The meat and fish lazy susan is definitely an acquired taste. If you're not a fan of smoked or pickled fish or pork liver, I wouldn't get this!! But for some, this is the most delicious platter ever!

Matt G.

Yelp

This place has signs on the door that they had the best cheese curds in Madison. I came in to give it a try. The house was full and put my name in for a 20 minute wait for a table. I reviewed the menu and saw a huge selection of beers on tap but ordered the Old Fashioned with cherry juice and bourbon. A different spin on the drink but it tasted good. I ordered the cheese curds appetizer and the 10 oz. tenderloin cooked medium with the mushroom cream sauce on the side. It came with roasted potatoes and carrots. I cut into my steak and it was cooked medium-well. The cheese curds were great and the steak had good flavor despite being overcooked. The mushroom cream sauce did add some flavor as it had a taste of brandy. I ordered a second cherry juice Old Fashioned. The food was good, the place was happening, great beer selection with OK service and OK execution with the food. I did not feel the buzz as expected with the two Old Fashioned drinks. I do have to admit that I liked my steak here better than Tornado. 3.5 stars!

Michelle L.

Yelp

I had been really excited to try this place since I'd heard about how highly rated the cheese curds were here!! for a party of 2 on a friday night the wait was about 30-40 minutes. the service was great, and it was a busy friday night. we ordered the bacon mac n cheese, the cheese fondue, the old fashioned house burger and the fish fry. bacon mac n cheese: good but not mindblowing, feel like I probably could've made this at home as equally good cheese fondue: really disappointed by this bc the toast was super subpar. felt like this dish could've been really elevated with actual sourdough baguette pieces. the fondue itself was thick and cheesey as you'd imagine fish fry: tasty, was satisfied with this dish the old fashioned house burger: by far the best dish here!!! i would come back just to eat this alone. i subbed out the fries for the cheese curds which were as delicious as expected. probably the best cheese curds I've had in wisconsin thus far overall pretty happy with my experience and I would definitely come back!

Christine H.

Yelp

This was a great place to grab a bite to eat and some cocktails before the Nebraska vs. Wisconsin game. It's about 1.5 miles from camp Randall but there's a bus stop right around the corner that will take you near the stadium. Plus, you can't go wrong with views of the capitol. On to the food, the cheese curds were sooo good! I of course had to get an old fashioned...it came carbonated which isn't my fav but still enjoyed. The meals were pretty good overall, I was super impressed with my spinach salad but the fries that came with some of the meals were pretty meh. Our service started strong but towards the end of the meal we were having to ask multiple times for items. All-in-all this was a fun place in Madison!

Giselle A.

Yelp

I've been here like 8+ times. The cheese curds (WITH paprika sauce!) are fantastic. However, other than that I'd say the rest of the menu is pretty average Wisconsin bar food. Drinks are strong. Expect to wait for a table every time, great location.

Olivia L.

Yelp

We wanted to stop by somewhere casual for apps this afternoon and settled on The Old Fashioned. Located right on the square, this spot is prime time and surprisingly pretty spacious on the inside. There is also an outdoor patio dining area. We were seated promptly inside and our food was brought out shortly after ordering. We literally split two appetizers so my review is based solely on those. We ordered the poutine and the famous cheese curds. I love a good fried cheese curd, so when I found out these were rated the best in the state of Wisconsin I had to try them out. They were definitely good! I enjoyed how light and fluffy they were. The batter was on point. The poutine was also really good. I think we may have gotten a bit of flavor fatigue since there were also cheese curds in the poutine. The poutine would have been good enough with just the fries alone. We enjoyed the light topping of gravy that was just the right amount to prevent any sogginess. Overall, both the curds and poutine were solid apps and stand their own ground individually. We were definitely feeling the diary fatigue by the end of our food with the amount of cheese curds we consumed. I'm still trying to figure out if that's a good or bad thing haha.

David L.

Yelp

Came here with a party of 7 on a Friday early afternoon and we were quickly seated. It's in a great spot in downtown Madison- directly facing the state capitol building. We were able to park at a nearby parking garage. We ordered their famous cheese curds as an appetizer and I got the spicy burger Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Food: 4/5 I absolutely loved the cheese curds. There's a reason why they were rated the best in the state! They were super fresh and perfectly fried. The burger was solid. At first glance, it seemed smaller than typical burgers I've gotten but I ended up being completely full. Price: 5/5 Pretty affordable especially for a downtown restaurant

Michelle C.

Yelp

Sconsters, Wisconsinites, cheeseheads. If you like Scon food, it's hard to beat The Old Fashioned. Their burger is the most reliable burger. The oozy egg yolk on top? That is how we should be making burgers more saucy. The onion strings-definitely more grease and salt than a person should eat, but all of the goodness I want to eat! Their sandwiches also stellar. This place just salts all the food so well. Also it's hard to top their cheesecurds. So soft yet so crispy on the outside gah. And the walls are adorned with Scon memoribilia. What's not to like?

Edward N.

Yelp

Went here based on a recommendation. The food was so amazing and the service even better. Thanks Audrey (give her a raise).

Guadalupe G.

Yelp

Food - I'm not a fan of cheese curds but my family is and loved them. Their mac and cheese is delicious; I inhaled it. Chicken pot pie biscuits were okay, pot pie was a bit on the sweeter side than I like. Walleye is cooked very well. Service - took back a burger that was undercooked with no problem and made us whole. Busy night but attentive just the right amount. Ambiance - great. Family dinner or date night, you feel like you have enough privacy. Decor by the bar was cool.

Anthony Z.

Yelp

The wife and I had a hotel room on the square so we decided to stop at The Old Fashion for some drinks and snacks after our event. The cheese curds were 4 out of 5, and so were the drinks! We order each one of the old fashions that the offered. The drinks were stiff, delicious, and worth the price. We also ordered a Wisconsin Burger, but didn't care for it. I wouldn't come back for the food, but I would definitely come back for some drinks and curds. The service was great, and the ambiance was so Wisconsin.

Cassandra S.

Yelp

I can see why so many love this spot! Stopped in for lunch today. Literally minutes ago. Couldn't wait to toss this up! Cool building, awesome decore, seriously delicious food, nice big bar. From the unique beer bottle chandeliers to the swag for sale all the details are here. The service was excellent, greeted warmly and promptly, server came by within 3 minutes, food was timed right, fresh and hot. I could have gotten down with some Day drinking just to try one of their Old Fashies but didn't want to fall sleep on my driver on the way back to GB. Not afraid of some full bodied greasy spoon goodness. The Mac n cheese looked noteworthy as well. Not to say there aren't healthy options. I spotted some fresh salads on tables near by. Grab yourself a Shirt on the way out too!

Eli T.

Yelp

Definitely a tourist trap, I went here after reading that they had been voted best cheese curds in Wisconsin by the food network. Whenever I see those kind of designations I worry that they have probably lost the charm that earned them it in the first place. This place was a prime example of that. Extremely busy with tons of tourists, grossly overpriced menu items and insane drink prices. The cheese curds were pretty good but definitely not the best in Wisconsin. I also ordered the wood grilled chicken sandwich which was poorly prepared and bland as can be. I would recommend reconsidering eating here.

Rachel F.

Yelp

Great food, drinks and service! The prices are super reasonable especially for the portions! 10/10 would go again!

Kathy V.

Yelp

Really good. There is likely to be a wait...they have been featured on the Food Network, and we had a wait even for three people at 1pm on a Wednesday afternoon. Be prepared for that and you will be fine. But they take your phone number and will text and give you 10 minutes to get back to the restaurant, if you want to spend your time waiting by walking around the capitol square. Anywho, once we were seated service was on point. We OBviously ordered some cheese curds to share and they were OBviously delicious. Can fried cheese be anything but delicious? Anywho, to combat all the heavy food I had been eating, this visit I got a salad for my main dish and it was delightful. Nothing particularly noteworthy, just that it was fresh and tasty and precisely what I wanted. We all also got an old fashioned slushie for our beverages. Perfect for a grown-up cool down in the afternoon in the middle of July. I have visited here a few times over the years and I can say that the food has always been spot on and the service has always been friendly and prompt. You could do much worse than enjoying a lovely meal here!

Carmine B.

Yelp

This is a great restaurant with great food. I highly recommend the cheese curl's appetizer. I had the fish sampler I never use tartar sauce but theirs is very good. Our server was fantastic and recommended a very good local beer. If you are by the Wisconsin state capital be sure to stop by.

Evangeline L.

Yelp

Got the Party Melt and old fashioned house burger, as well as the cheese curds. Definitely get the cheese curds as it's what Wisconsin is known for. The burgers and sandwiches were also great and well flavored.

Dang N.

Yelp

Best cheese curds I've had in this state. Also got their walleye fish special of the night which was basically fish and chips but it was really quite good. Cooked perfectly with a good batter. And of course the old fashions here are really quite good.

Ellena K.

Yelp

A favorite for takeout! Food is always great. Would recommend the onion straws. If you love mac and cheese you must try theirs! Hard to get in during busy times - wish they took reservations

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The 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin - Madison - The Infatuation

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Nicole Hansen

The Old Fashioned

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

The Old Fashioned - Review - Capitol Neighborhoods - Madison - The Infatuation

https://www.theinfatuation.com/madison/reviews/the-old-fashioned

Nicole Hansen

The Old Fashioned

@postcardnews

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

https://theoldfashioned.com/food

Best Burgers in Madison (2025)

The Old Fashioned

@postcardnews

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

https://theoldfashioned.com/

Best Restaurants in Madison (2025)

The Old Fashioned

@megancollins

7 Postcards · 1 City

Also makes a great old fashioned (not surprisingly)

The Best Cheese Curds in Madison, Wisconsin

The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant

Through Bec Specs Travel B.

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Heather L.

Google

Mark S.

Google

Maia H

Google

Celene S.

Google

Keith L.

Google

Atmosphere is great. Near the capital with tons of old beer memorabilia inside. Old fashioned beverages were also great. However the food was just lack luster outside of the cheese curds.

Jillian J.

Google

SamP

Google

Doug B.

Yelp

Vince L.

Yelp

Christine I.

Yelp

Fabian R.

Yelp

Doug G.

Yelp

Lindsey B.

Yelp

Great restaurant, very homey, nice environment and all the servers were super nice. The beer soup was a little too salty but I liked the cheese curds and the salad.

Brian F.

Yelp

Jenni H.

Yelp

Max M.

Yelp

Jake A.

Yelp

Melissa K.

Yelp

Anna B.

Yelp

Annie G.

Yelp

Cristina M.

Yelp

Joshua P.

Yelp

Tracy L.

Yelp

Jack L.

Yelp

C. B.

Yelp

Great vibe, great drinks and great staff! Don't sleep on the cheese curds, best in town.

Vanessa B.

Yelp

I D.

Yelp

Samira H.

Yelp

Jean O.

Yelp

Loved the Perch Fish Fry! And the brand Old Fashioneds. Good Wisconsin Comfort Food! Will return next time we are in Madison.

Alex R.

Yelp

Greg D.

Yelp

Welcoming staff, very efficient in service and neat menu selection. Food was tasty. They really move customers in and out without feeling rushed.

Alex L.

Yelp

Frank T.

Yelp

Donavan R.

Yelp

Nancy H.

Yelp

Rod H.

Yelp

Kelly T.

Yelp

Clarissa C.

Yelp

Matt G.

Yelp

Michelle L.

Yelp

Christine H.

Yelp

Giselle A.

Yelp

Olivia L.

Yelp

David L.

Yelp

Michelle C.

Yelp

Edward N.

Yelp

Went here based on a recommendation. The food was so amazing and the service even better. Thanks Audrey (give her a raise).

Guadalupe G.

Yelp

Anthony Z.

Yelp

Cassandra S.

Yelp

Eli T.

Yelp

Rachel F.

Yelp

Great food, drinks and service! The prices are super reasonable especially for the portions! 10/10 would go again!

Kathy V.

Yelp

Carmine B.

Yelp

Evangeline L.

Yelp

Dang N.

Yelp

Ellena K.

Yelp

A favorite for takeout! Food is always great. Would recommend the onion straws. If you love mac and cheese you must try theirs! Hard to get in during busy times - wish they took reservations

The Old Fashioned

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The 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin - Madison - The Infatuation

The Old Fashioned - Review - Capitol Neighborhoods - Madison - The Infatuation

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The 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin - Madison - The Infatuation

The Old Fashioned - Review - Capitol Neighborhoods - Madison - The Infatuation