Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Madison

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Madison? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro

4.8

4.8 (953)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Madison

About the restaurant

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro is located on the banks of the Sugar River in Paoli, WI. The Schoolhouse was built in 1864 and was converted into a restaurant in 2008. We pride ourselves in supporting local vendors and ingredients to bring you the best quality dishes.

Enjoy a meal in our beautiful bistro or on the deck/patio as weather permits. We have a great selection of wine, cocktails, and carry a variety of domestic and craft beers.

The Schoolhouse is also a great venue for small events - micro weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, baby showers, and any other celebrations!

Top review

Beth

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

We sat next to a larger party that was pretty loud. It was at times harder for us to hear each other. Otherwise, the food and service were fantastic as always.

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Buck & Honey's - Sun Prairie

4.7

4.7 (1571)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sun Prairie

About the restaurant

At Buck & Honey’s, we've taken great care to ensure your first visit makes you feel like you're stopping by an old friend's. We're locally owned and offer a wide variety of traditional fare made from scratch with only the freshest available ingredients.… Sun Prairie's taken notice by awarding Buck & Honey's 'Best Restaurant', 'Best Steak', 'Best Dinner', 'Best Place for Live Music', 'Best Lunch', (and more) every year! Great pastas, tender steaks, fresh entree salads, unique specialty sandwiches, critically acclaimed Friday fish fry and our deliciously crispy thin crust pizzas round out our offerings. Check out the extensive wine list. Join us for live entertainment and special events. Now serving brunch from 10A-2P on Sunday!

Top review

Dave

Dined 2 days ago

Great food and friendly staff! It’s a great place to meet friends for cocktails and dinner.

Stone Porch Alehouse

4.7

4.7 (64)

$30 and under

American

Verona

About the restaurant

Stone Porch is named after it's huge stone wrap around porch but we don't let that vibe end there. Comfort food, refreshing cocktails to warm up the insides and a great team looking to make your visit memorable. Our head chef, Jacob Goldsberry, believes that from scratch is always best and that brings an authenticity to each dish that will remind you of home.

Top review

Krista

Dined 1 day ago

Waitstaff was so friendly and knowledgeable ! Food was great and service was quick !

Villa Dolce

4.6

4.6 (641)

$30 and under

Italian

Middleton

About the restaurant

A modern Italian cafe in the heart of downtown historic Middleton. With a contemporary vibe this fusion Italian gem features unique topping gourmet pizzas, handmade pasta and famous Gelato.

Top review

Rene

Dined on Nov 17, 2024

The food is so tasty and the staff so friendly, the restaurant has the warm of a home kitchen it permeates into everything. We moved away and never miss an opportunity to go back.

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Popular dish

Meat Lovers

Buck & Honey's - Monona

4.6

4.6 (1462)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Madison

About the restaurant

At Buck & Honey’s, we've taken great care to ensure your first visit makes you feel like you're stopping by an old friend's. We're locally owned and offer a wide variety of traditional fare made from scratch with only the freshest available ingredients.… Great pastas, tender steaks, fresh entree salads, unique specialty sandwiches, critically acclaimed Friday fish fry and our deliciously crispy thin crust pizzas round out our offerings. Check out the extensive wine list, craft cocktails and beer selections. Join us for live entertainment and special events. Located on the Yahara River in Monona, featuring 23 boat slips for boat parking and dock side carry out.

Summer months include patio seating, that is first come first serve, and non-reservable.

Top review

Ashley

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

The waitress was EXCEPTIONAL! We came after graduation and they were able to seat and serve us very quickly. She was very attentive and friendly! Despite being later in evening, we weren’t rushed and the staff let us enjoy our food and family time. Normally we go to the other one, but now I’d highly recommend this location too!

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4.5

4.5 (1182)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Madison

About the restaurant

Join us at our signature restaurant, The Statehouse, or simply stop in to catch the sunset over Lake Mendota while enjoying a cocktail at the bar. Located at the corner of Langdon and Wisconsin, you’ll be comfortable in our inviting dining room and regaled by gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding area. Our beautiful restaurant serves regionally sourced, Modern Midwestern Cuisine. Augie's Tavern offers classic cocktails with new twists, an extensive wine list, and of course, the best Wisconsin craft beers.

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

Great view of Lake Mendota. Excellent for a relaxed lunch with a friend

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Popular dish

Fried Clockshadow Cheese Curds

4.5

4.5 (1132)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Madison

About the restaurant

Lucille is currently open for indoor dining! For large group reservations (15+ people), please email us at info@lucillemadison.com or give us a call at 608-283-0000 for availability.

We are excited to have you in!

Top review

Tristan

Dined 6 days ago

Best Christmas pop-up in Madison! Fun drinks, great pizza, and wonderful service.

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Liberty Station - Madison

4.5

4.5 (554)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Madison

About the restaurant

Liberty Station - Madison offers BBQ and American comfort food in Madison.

Top review

Patty

Dined on Nov 28, 2024

Very good meal! The experience was excellent. It was a bit overpriced so that's why the 4 points.

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Popular dish

Brisket Quesadilla

Palette Bar and Grill

4.3

4.3 (498)

$30 and under

American

Madison

About the restaurant

Palette provides a colorful dining experience with an American inspired menu featuring in-house cut steaks and 21-day aged 100% black Angus beef.

As we inherited a space as historical as the former Mautz Paint Company warehouse, we had to do it justice. We kept our building’s architectural features intact while updating the space with contemporary design elements and nostalgic touches. We wanted to keep the space faithful to its roots; filled with hues of colors and textures reminiscing of times when the East Washington corridor was a booming industrial area in the city.

Our menu features steak cuts made in-house, chef’s masterpieces, artisan salads and soups, along with a unique beer and hand-crafted cocktail selection.

Top review

andrew

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Parking was horrendous. No street parking and had to go up to level 5 in the parking garage since the other levels are all reserved. Also, the restaurant is inside the hotel. There are no signs outside stating this. The decor is amazing and such a great theme that pays homage to its history. The cocktails are phenomenal as is the food. A bit pricey for apps and small plates but worth it in the end.

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Buck & Honey's - Waunakee

4.3

4.3 (510)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Waunakee

About the restaurant

At Buck & Honey’s, we've taken great care to ensure your first visit makes you feel like you're stopping by an old friend's. We're locally owned and offer a wide variety of traditional fare made from scratch with only the freshest available ingredients.… Great pastas, tender steaks, fresh entree salads, unique specialty sandwiches, critically acclaimed Friday fish fry and our deliciously crispy thin crust pizzas round out our offerings. Check out the extensive wine list, craft cocktails and beer selections. Join us for live entertainment and special events.

Top review

JonVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Food is great and service is even better! Always happy when you come to a place where the staff enjoy being there and are happy to see you.

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