Wondering what life is really like as a pediatric resident in Madison? Beyond completing clinical training, our pediatric residents spend their free time exploring Wisconsin’s vibrant capital city and surrounding areas. Our residents put together this curated list of restaurant recommendations and activities to do around Madison to help prospective applicants picture themselves living, thriving, and making memories here during residency.
Restaurant Recommendations
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Dinner Spots
- L’Etiole Restaurant – 1 S. Pinckney St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Everly – 2701 Monroe St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Gates & Brovi – 3502 Monroe St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Hmong Legacy Market & Deli – 2119 Fish Hatchery Rd., Madison, Wisconsin
- Mint Mark – 1874 E. Washington Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- Original Pancake House – 5518 University Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- Sardine – 617 Williamson St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Seven Acre Dairy Company – 6858 Paoli Rd., Belleville, Wisconsin
Brunch Spots
- Ancora Cafe + Bakery – 3256 University Ave, Madison, Wisconsin; 107 King St., Madison, Wisconsin; 611 N. Sherman Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- Bassett Street Brunch Club – 444 W. Johnson St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Cento – 122 W. Mifflin St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Everly – 2701 Monroe St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Lakeside St. Coffee House – 402 W. Lakeside St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Marigold Kitchen – 118 S. Pinckney St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Seven Acre Dairy Company – 6858 Paoli Rd., Belleville, Wisconsin
Bars
- Oakcrest Tavern – 5371 Old Middleton Rd., Madison, Wisconsin
- Lucille – 101 King St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Public Parking Bar – 711 E. Johnson St., Madison, Wisconsin
- The Village Green – 7508 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, Wisconsin
- The Robin Room – 821 E. Johnson St., Madison, Wisconsin
- The Caribou Tavern – 703 E. Johnson St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Cordial – 516 S. Park St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Ivory Room Piano Bar – 116 W. Mifflin St., Madison, Wisconsin
Breweries
- Young Blood Beer Co – 112 King St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Vintage Brewing Co – 674 S. Whitney Way, Madison, Wisconsin; 803 E. Washington Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- The Biergarten at Olbrich Park – 3527 Atwood Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- Longtable Beer Cafe – 7545 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, Wisconsin
- Working Draft Beer Company – 1129 E. Wilson St., Madison, Wisconsin
Cafes
- Ancora Cafe + Bakery – 3256 University Ave, Madison, Wisconsin; 107 King St., Madison, Wisconsin; 611 N. Sherman Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- Barriques Coffee Roasters and Cafe – 2505 University Ave, Madison, Wisconsin; 127 W. Washington Ave, Madison, Wisconsin; 1825 Monroe St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Collectivo Coffee – 2530 Monroe St., Madison, Wisconsin; 583 State St., Madison, Wisconsin; 25 S. Pinckney St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Emerald Coffee Bakery – 570 Junction Rd., Madison, Wisconsin
- Lakeside St. Coffee House – 402 W. Lakeside St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Rotunda Cafe – 1965 Atwood Ave #5220, Madison, Wisconsin
Bakeries
- Barriques Coffee Roasters and Cafe – 2505 University Ave, Madison, Wisconsin; 127 W. Washington Ave, Madison, Wisconsin; 1825 Monroe St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Bloom Bake Shop – 1851 Monroe St., Madison, Wisconsin; 557 N. St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Far Breton Bakery – 1920 Fordem Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- Madison Sourdough – 916 Williamson St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Lazy Jane’s Cafe and Bakery – 1358 Williamson St., Madison, Wisconsin
Activity Recommendations
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Date Nights
- The Robin Room – 821 E. Johnson St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Fabiola’s Spaghetti House & Deli – 1301 Regent St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Camp Trippalindee – 601 Langdon St., Madison, Wisconsin
- The Harvey House – 644 W. Washington Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- Picnic Point – Lakeshore Nature Preserve – 2000 University Bay Dr., Madison, Wisconsin
- Comedy on State – 202 State St., Madison, Wisconsin
Outdoor Spots
- Memorial Union Terrace – 800 Langdon St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Lower Yahara River Trail – 3102 Lake Farm Rd., Madison, Wisconsin
- Olbrich Botanical Gardens – 3330 Atwood Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
- Picnic Point – Lakeshore Nature Preserve – 2000 University Bay Dr., Madison, Wisconsin
- Devil’s Lake State Park – S5975 Park Rd., Baraboo, Wisconsin
- Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center – 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison, Wisconsin
- UW Arboretum – 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, Wisconsin
Hiking
- Pheasant Branch Conservancy – 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd., Middleton, Wisconsin
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail – 7701 McKee Rd., Verona, Wisconsin
- Devil’s Lake State Park – S5975 Park Rd., Baraboo, Wisconsin
- Pewit’s Nest – County Rd. W., Baraboo, Wisconsin
Day Trips
- New Glarus Brewing Company – 218 Hoesly Dr., New Glarus, Wisconsin
- House on the Rock – 5754 WI-23, Spring Green, Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Chicago, Illinois
- Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- Driftless Area
- American Players Theater – 5950 Golf Course Rd., Spring Green, Wisconsin
Summer Activities
- Dane County Farmers’ Market – Saturdays, April 11 through November 12, 2026; 2 E. Main St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Summer Festivals
- Live Music in Paoli
- Memorial Union Terrace – 800 Langdon St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Kayaking
- Biking
Live Music Venues and Events
- The Sylvee – 25 S. Livingston St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Garver Feed Mill Food Truck Fridays – 3241 Garver Green, Madison, Wisconsin
- Cafe Coda – 1224 Williamson St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Concerts on the Square – 10 S. Pinckney St., Madison, Wisconsin
- Overture Center – 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin