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    The Old Fashioned

    4.1 (2.5k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    The Old Fashioned Photos

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    THE OLD FASHIONED ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Old Fashioned

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    Side bar
    Mark C.

    Really popular spot in downtown. The bar is full service so it's easier to grab a seat at the bar in order from the menu. People there are super friendly and they serve a lot of nice comfort food. It's got a classic old-school vibe like the name would suggest definitely worth a visit.

    Salmon Salad
    Kenna G.

    Nice dinner at the bar of The Old Fashioned. Service was great, the bartender was so kind. Cheese curds were great, suggest getting ranch or aioli for dipping! Salmon salad was very tasty as well. Just wish they included more than half a deviled egg. Also added a salmon cake and it was great!

    Stephanie H.

    Such a fun Madison spot! Came here with my husband and had a great time! The cheese curds and old fashioneds were delicious, and the atmosphere was lively and very Wisconsin. It was a little busy when we went, but overall a great place to stop for a cocktail and a meal.

    "Wow" level Pork Schnitzel with a cherry sauce that was a perfect accentuating compliment.  Highly recommend!
    Robb W.

    After hearing about this restaurant for some time, glad to finally make it out there as it was a great time for myself and my guests. Located right across from the Capitol, it made for a dramatic backdrop to the restaurant. Additionally, the hustle bustle of downtown Madison lends itself to tons of folks coming and going so try to leave yourself some additional time to cozy up to the bar and grab a drink because you will likely be waiting a short while for a table. Also, parking is atrocious and you may need to hunt for a spot and walk a bit to get back to the restaurant. You've been warned but the destination is worth the journey. Btw - beer is extremely reasonable and they have dozens of taps which is super cool. I think I only paid like $3 for my beer but full disclosure, I only like beer that you can see through and it was a local beer so YMMV. Once seated, service was excellent throughout and we started with something that TOF is known for, the cheese curds. When they arrived at the table, they were sizable curds of random shapes/sizes (so clearly homemade) and their consistency was so light and airy that it was truly some of the best I've ever had. Granted, I'm not from WI where cheese curds fall from trees, but to my touristy palette, these were excellent. There were a ton of great menu choices but I ended up ordering the pork schnitzel and it was spectacular. Reasonably priced yet crispy and moist (a combo that's hard to acheive!) and I loved the unusual cherry mustard sauce that paired well with the entree. If you're schnitzel hunting, just be aware that this is only served at night. (As of my review) The folks that were with me all loved the warm Cheers bar type ambiance, and super enjoyed their meal and they all noted they can hardly wait to come back when they land back in Madison. Excellent experience and highly recommended!

    Heather L.

    This place is decked out for Christmas and looks great. Are server was very sweet and split our burger for us. Service was very prompt. They aren't kidding when they say the best cheese curds. I've been trying quite a few since moving here and these are by far the best. I think I swoomed over every single bite of my burger. Maybe the best burger I've ever had in a restaurant. We tried the jelly good sodas and the cream soda was really good my husband said the orange soda was good. The bread pudding wasn't great. It wasn't bad. Luckily it didn't have any damn raisins in it lol

    Cherry Bounce old fashioneds
    Lorean W.

    If I lived here, The Old Fashioned would be my joint hands-down especially during cherry bounce season! I usually make some for myself, so what a treat to see it on a menu somewhere. It's so fun inside, especially right now, while it's decorated for Xmas. The place was tidy (even the bathrooms were super nice) and all of the staff were friendly and helpful. If you come to eat alongside your beverages? Come hungry! My partner and I split the spinach salad and the schnitzel plate and STILL took leftovers home! Speaking of that perfectly pounded thin and crispity-crunchity schnitzel, you gotta try it. It's so good, and practically melts right on the tongue. I'd come back for that alone!

    State Capitol, visible from the restaurant.

    I had the Wisconsin burger, cheese curds, and the pickled beets salad. Their food never disappoints, is amazingly inexpensive, and there server was there to answer questions and get me what I needed. To top it off, the view of the State Capital made it it a perfect place to chill!

    Bacon The Old Fashioned House Burger
    Travis C.

    Food: It was good food, nothing I've haven't had before, but it wasn't anything to complain about either. Service: It was okay as well, nothing out of the ordinary. He did seem a little frustrated at times because we were slower to order than most, but it was our first time so that's going to happen. Ambiance: It has that Midwest charm.

    Tenderloin sandwich
    Thien-Tyler N.

    Food 5/5 Service 4.5/5 Ambiance 4.5/5 A Wisconsin staple at this point, The Old Fashioned does pub food (and even some brunch) well. The cheese curds were solid, the tenderloin sandwich lasted me a whole two meals, and the food the rest of my party got (a Belgian waffle and a Double Brat) also was quite tasty. Would recommend after a nice market stroll.

    How many Wisconsin style Old Fashions they've sold.
    Candace R.

    Visited The Old Fashioned while in Madison, WI for a friend's 40th birthday, and we ended up going twice in one day. That's how fun it was! It's a casual spot with good energy and plenty of seating both indoors and out. We walked in both times with no reservation and were seated right away, even though it was busy. For lunch, we ordered the poutine (featuring fresh cheese curds and house-made gravy) and paired it with a Wisconsin style Old Fashioned (features Brandy). We also ordered a Schlitz beer, which came with a pickled egg on the side. Yes, a pickled egg! It was such a fun regional touch and surprisingly tasty. The food hit all the comfort notes, and the prices were reasonable. Our server was friendly, quick, and had great menu tips. A standout spot for cheese curds, unique beer pairings, and Wisconsin vibes. Definitely recommend if you're visiting Madison, it's a local staple and worth the stop!

    Pork schnitzel
    Brad N.

    An established anchor for locals and tourists. They have a diverse menu from bar food to German food. Lots of beer choices. In fact, a majority of the selections are local. Menu items they are known for include an Old Fashion (thus the restaurant's has in its name), cheese curds (featured on Food Network), and pork schnitzel. I enjoyed the pork schnitzel and local Spotted Cow. I sat at the bar and enjoined great service, ball game playing, and food. The place was packed and as I left a bus dropped off more patrons. Just FYI you may have to speak a little louder when busy. Great experience overall, thank you The Old Fashioned.

    Cheese curds
    Liz B.

    Casual restaurant and bar located in downtown Madison! Of course being in Wisconsin, I had to try the cheese curds. They were made out of cheddar, and I was surprised at how sharp they were. Definitely a little greasy as expected, but still super tasty. We also got the combo fish fry, which came with three fish to try. The wait was roughly 20 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. The waiter was really helpful and gave us recommendations.

    Door County Cherry Salad
    Stephen D.

    I wanted to get the curds but we were cheesed out (Lakefront curds and the Mars cheese castle ). They are award winning here, so if you are remotely in the mood, order them. Door County Cherry Salad - perfection. Great ratio of dressing to lettuce. The blue cheese was not overpowering and the cherries were such a great add. I would order this anytime I'm in Madison Heirloom BLT- I believe this is seasonal but that means that you need to hurry here and order it. Absolutely amazing. Location is great. We went in the summer and sat outside people watching and looking at the capital. Love this spot and I will dream of this salad until the next time I get here.

    Double brat

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    The Old Fashioned Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Old Fashioned

    Do they have TV's to watch the game?

    They have TVs around the bar

    Is there a dining area away from the bar or is it all one big bar with tables where you eat food?

    We sat by the front window and it was away from the bar. There were several tables that were not right next to the bar

    Is their Wisconsin Burger buttery? Thanks

    Yes from what I remember!

    View All 4 Questions

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    The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company - 12 Pack Pub Wings (1/2 - 3 alarm, 1/2 - general tso's)

    The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

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    A must visit in Madison! The food is great and the beer is tasty…read more Came in early evening on a Wednesday. It was pretty empty. They have a wing deal - 15 wings and 2 pints for $25. We got the Korean BBQ and Habanero. The habanero is SPICY!! My mouth was burning after two wings. I always get the APA beer. Classically delicious! Luckily we walked because parking can be tricky to find. Service can also be a little hit or miss. Today our server was a lil forgetful.

    Every time I visit Madison, it is an absolute guarantee that I will be stopping by The Great Dane…read morePub...most trips more than once! Great Dane Pub has become one of my favorite spots in Madison for a variety of reasons from the drinks, vibes, service and community support! Situated on the corner of Doty and King in downtown Madison, Great Dane is a welcome sight for any visitor or local looking for a chill spot to have a solid drink, tasty bite and/or a good time! The pub is one large space, but it is separated into a few unique areas. One side is quintessential pub with a long bar, lots of dark woods, and a good sized dining room. The other is more of a pool hall vibe where you will find the other side of the bar, several pool tables, lots of TV's, high tops, darts, etc...We have bellied up to both sides of the bar and while I like both sides, I prefer the vibe of the pub side. They have a fairly extensive food menu with several bar/pub classics such as wings, nachos and burgers. But they also offer a good variety of sandwiches, bowls, salads, soups and even tacos. While we are normally here for the drinks, we do enjoy the cheese curds, wings and poutine! Speaking of drinks, they always have a great menu of house cocktails that is constantly updated for seasonality. I have had several iterations of cocktails and since I visit a few times a year, I always get to try new seasonal cocktails and beers! Service is always stellar here, no matter what side of the bar you are on. Welcoming, friendly and helpful...every time! Overall, I am an absolute fan of The Great Dane Pub!

    MadisonTap

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    This was a fun find for us while we were in town. It was a bit hard to locate - we heard live music…read morebut couldn't tell if we could enter from the back. We entered from the front of the building. It looks like they feature a different brewery every month. The interior of the bar was pretty classy and new. Their patio was very cool and spacious. A great patio for evening drinks! The live music was pretty good too. Can't speak to the food however, since we didn't eat there.

    The Coopers Tavern - Harvest Soup

    The Coopers Tavern

    (592 reviews)

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    The Coopers Tavern is a local pub-style restaurant in downtown Madison that has the neighborhood…read morevibe combined with a rustic-almost European energy, which makes sense when you learn the owner is from Ireland! The menu is filled with elevated pub food, a few classics and then a few twists on those very classics. Come hinge, because the menu is carb-driven, so be ready to eat! To start, we went with the poutine, because why not! The fries were crispy, gravy was velvety and the curds were firm, yet melty enough for a good cheese pull! For our mains, we both went sandwiches. I went with the Celtic Burger, which is their standard burger with added caramel iced onion, whiskey bacon jam, Irish cheddar and a garlic aioli. The burger was good and cooked well, but it was less impressive than I expected given all the goods they added to it. While the aforementioned additions sound like a flavor bomb, it was still fairly one note in overall flavor. It was still tasty, but again, not as expected. My buddy went with the corned beef sandwich. He enjoyed it, no major issues! I did appreciate that exchanging fries with fried curds was an option, especially after loaded up on fries as a starter. The curds were well fried, pillowy and quite tasty. Perfect side for sure! In addition to the food, they are known for their bar offerings so you know we had to grab a few cocktails! I went with the Golden Dew and my buddy the Old Fashioned. Golden Dew was delightful, however the old fashioned was a bit sweet, but that's possibly the brandy. Service was great. We walked in and hit the wait list, however was able to scoop up a few seats at the bar before our table was ready. The bartenders were friendly, helpful and an overall joy to interact with. Overall, definitely a fan of The Coopers Tavern! When back in Madison, I would certainly swing by again!

    I was kind of nervous about trying this place because of some of the other reviews, but I was…read morereally wanting something quick before I had to go to my Epic training class. I decided to get the grilled cheese with tomato soup and a side salad. It was plenty enough food. Somebody who seemed like he was in charge took my coat for me, which was really sweet and hung it up. The waiters were really attentive, and even though the grilled cheese has made my hand sticky it's given additional napkins to help with the stickiness I would return here definitely for lunch. I was one of the only few people in here, but I did go for an 11 AM lunch.

    Cask & Ale

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    Another first-time experience in Madison, and this spot came highly recommended if you're a true…read morewhiskey or bourbon lover, and wow it did NOT disappoint! It happened to be near the theatre we went to, so we decided to stop in and check it out. They have nearly 775 different types of whiskey to choose from, which is wild! I loved that they offer different ounce sizes so you can sample a few, and they even pair it with water so you stay hydrated while tasting (smart touch). Price ranges between ~$7.50-$20.00+. The place had a cozy, lounge-like vibe and was pretty busy, but the staff was friendly and helpful. It's first come first served for seating, just like any bar. We sampled a few whiskeys and also tried their premade espresso martini. The whiskey selection was phenomenal, the espresso martini was decent, not the best I've had (it was premade), but still enjoyable (it's made with Tito's, which isn't my favorite base, but I appreciate the fresh coffee beans they used). All in all, this place is a hidden gem. Great whiskey, friendly staff, and the perfect cozy spot to escape the rain for a while. I'll definitely be back next time to try even more from their list!

    The perfect chill spot for a couple, if you need a cozy booth with dim lighting & good cocktails…read morethis is it! We also loved that the football game was on and it wasn't too loud. It's intimate and the drinks are fire. We stuck with the classic old fashioned and felt they were strong and well crafted - thank you for a true luxardo cherry too! We ordered at the bar but chilled in a booth. So many whiskey options!!! Service is friendly & quick!

    Marigold Kitchen - Bacon & Eggs With Potatoes & Very Tasty Sourdough Bread.

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    Discovered this spot while my little sister was in town visiting and now have already been back…read morewith plans to keep returning. I've ordered the same thing both times because I loved it so much- the Three Grain & Tempeh Bowl. It's so fresh and delicious, filling without making you feel over-full and gross. She had the Mushroom & Gouda Omelette and also very much enjoyed. The seating space is small so you can definitely run into a wait during busy times, but service moves fast! You'll order at the counter and be handed a number to take to your table, where the food will be delivered. During busy times I've seen them try to help coordinate seating arrangements but it is otherwise largely a seat yourself sort of place. Next on my list are the lemon ricotta pancakes which are reportedly famous and a turmeric cookie I spotted in the bakery section :)

    I may have thought bad things about Madison prematurely. I mean, here for an event but who really…read moretravels to Madison? But here we were in downtown in a beautiful day with a gorgeous lake-side path and finding ourselves enjoying it. Stopped here for breakfast, shocked in our research how many vegetarian options were available for my wife. Here you could get tofu eggs and tempeh added to your dishes. I got their chilaquiles and gluten free lemon poppyseed pancakes (they had GF toast but their only savory option was this or a coconut thing). The entree was delicious, not too spicy unless you bite into too many jalapeños, and the shredded chicken was great. Could have used a second egg but I'm a big boy so maybe it's just me. I was also surprised by how much I liked the pancakes. It was a gamble as I don't like things too lemony and while you could definitely taste the lemon, it was still very good. And the pancakes, for being gluten free, were fluffy and soft and great. Had a regular coffee and while it was strong, it was just coffee. It gets very busy at peak meal times to plan accordingly. We'll probably be back before this trip is done.

    The Old Fashioned - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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