The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant
Gastropub$$$$
Downtown Madison, Madison
This gastropub is famous for their cheese curds. It's one of the most popular in the city!
"The cheese curds are some of the best curds I've had in Wisco too!"(81 Tips)
"Good Wisconsin beers, fish frys, and of course old fashioneds"(8 Tips)
"House Burger (#30) is goddamn fantastic."(8 Tips)
"amazing selection of beers and feature vodkas infused with fruit."(14 Tips)
259 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Emily KaneDecember 26, 2017Believe everything you’ve heard about the cheese curds, and don’t forget to check out the draft beers, this is a perfect spot to get some great Wisconsin beers.Upvoted Mar 12
The burgers are sensational and well-priced (especially like the Wisconsin burger), and 2-for-1 cheeseburger Monday’s is an incredible deal.
Voted best fried cheese curds in the state, and it lives up to the hype!! The batter is light and the cheese pull is insane! Get Tiger blue and ranch for dipping!!
Upvoted 1 week ago
Kaitlynn JonesMarch 21, 2015Phenomenal cheese curds. Really great prices! Boyfriend had the #38 and I had the #32. So good. Wanted to get the Door County Cherry Wheat on tap, but it was a little too early of a lunch for that. :)
Keith EngelOctober 30, 2015Everything is incredible here! A great place with awesome food all from Wisconsin. Get something with Neuske's bacon on it and dip your fries in the Tiger Sauce.
EaterApril 18, 2013Madison food writer Kyle Nabilcy: "Its thick pub-style burgers, has provided a gateway for a younger generation's appreciation of Wisconsin supper club culture. Mondays are two-for-one burger nights."
Tracy CraneJuly 11, 2015Cheese curds are amazing! Burgers are great. Old fashion and brandy slush were fantastic, too! Can't go wrong here.
Lauren BassApril 22, 2017I got the No. 32 bratwurst and it was so amazing! The brats had great flavor and the fries were delicious, in addition to their great root beer!- They have the fish fry every day 😍 the combo platter (perch, cod and walleye) is perfection
Karla Sternberg (Constantine)July 7, 2019Amazing Brandy old fashioned, fried cheese curds and classic WI entrees.
Michael KukulaDecember 11, 2011Had the tastiest dinner ever: cheese curds (the best ever), beer cheese soup, and the House Burger (wowface!), all topped off with an excellent New Glarus Moon Man Pale Ale. Best dinner out ever.
Michal SchmittDecember 20, 2015Quarter if the apple fritter was more than sufficient. It's huge! Great atmosphere right on the square.
Nicholas ThomasAugust 11, 2015The beer list is, in a word, extensive. Before you start browsing, get an order of cheese curds in. By the time you've chosen a drink, your food will arrive.
Matthew RathboneOctober 15, 2012Arguably the best cheese curds in Madison. However, if you try to come here on a friday or saturday night you'll be waiting ~ 1 hour for a table.
Cindy BackmanAugust 24, 2013I don't know what they do to thier cheese curds but they are one of the best things I have ever ate!! And thier BLT with fresh mozzerella is delish.
Rich WillinghamJune 15, 2013If you're not a local, get a flight of Wisconsin beers. It's the best way to experience their fine brews. And believe the hype on the cheese curds too....wow!
Stacy Bo BacyJuly 15, 2018Best fried cheese curds and old fashions, ever. Paprika sauce is the best.
Jeff BallwegAugust 30, 2012Make sure your whole party is present. Hosts are ruthlessly strict about the waiting list, and you won't be in line for a table 'till everyone has presented themselves at the hostess stand.
Ben MorrowOctober 23, 2016Cheese curds were great! The reuben (special) was really tasty. Definitely try an old fashioned, the signature brandy cocktail.
Tabitha WilleySeptember 15, 2013Prime rib dinner was amazing! And don't forget to get a Grasshopper martini to compliment your meal it makes for a great after dinner drink!
WyattJuly 31, 2012This place is freaking amazing! If you're at the bar ask for Kurt, great guy, knows his stuff and will have a beer taster line going for you in no time.
Eric GeorgeJuly 19, 2019Best happy hour and cheese curds in town...in the state for that matter. Excellent beer selection, all WI brewed.
Alex CardosoJanuary 3, 2017A good place to try local food. I liked the most the cheese curds and the root beer. I would definitely return!
Paul RossmanNovember 9, 2014Best restaurant on the square! Cheese curds, lazy susans, trout, cheese burgers. Draft beer selection is incredible, all Wisconsin.
The Scandinavian Chicken Dinner is exquisite. I could eat it every day. (Sadly, they only serve it on Sunday... but it's well worth the wait.)- Lots of Old Fashioned flavor options! The apple brandy and door county cherry were delicious!
Ask for the tiger sauce. And if you're around for brunch, get a bloody mary but be prepared if you get one with a hot pickled egg, you better have high pain tolerance (I don't!)
Get your Wisconsin on. They have an amazing (and huge) tap list of Wisconsin beers, and the food feature all the classic Wisconsin fare. The lazy susans are outstanding.
Aaron TaggartOctober 4, 2014Cheese curds!! The burgers are amazing too!! I absolutely love this place! The atmosphere, the workers, everything is great!!
Lee SafferSeptember 30, 2016Great selection of Wisconsin craft beer along with locally influenced pub grub, cheese curds are a must!
Melissa DahlAugust 10, 201452 beers on tap, 100 in the bottle... Sam the bartender was very friendly and helpful and gave us several fun samples!
Greg S.September 13, 2016Great beer selection, great food. Love their cheese curds. The French dip sandwich is really nice.
Alice FerrisJuly 24, 2013Try the House Burger - Lots going on here...fried egg, bacon, cheddar, and I added fresh jalapenos. Fork and knife burger.
Katie MillikenMarch 25, 20152-for-1 rail mixers and beers after 10 Tuesday-Thursday and sometimes on Monday! Karaoke on Wednesdays!
Alexander HaglerAugust 17, 2014Kurt is the greatest bartender I've ever had. That guy knows his drinks. He hooked us up with the best Old Fashions on earth. Thanks Kurt!!
Scott BlanchardDecember 21, 2018Excellent Wisco fare—cheese curds, burgers, great tap selections and tasty cocktails.
Adriana AlcazarAugust 30, 2013Cheese curds are a MUST. We split the Spicy and The Old Fashioned burger... both were out of this world !
Daniel SpreheJune 18, 2017The burger was one of the best I've ever had. The imperial stout was also a great compliment to the burger.
Jim AndersonMay 28, 2012Try the Beer Battered Cheese Curds - Truly astounding! Possibly the best cheese curds I've ever eaten. But...I'll keep testing that theory.- CollegeCandyDecember 1, 2011Best cheese curds in the US. Their food is extraordinary. They have an amazing selection of beers and feature vodkas infused with fruit.
Purchase the Saturday Farmers' Market special drink and $1 will be donated to charity of the month. Plus, you get an entry into their meat raffle
Men's Health MagNovember 17, 2011It’s simple here. No. 8 if you want to split bratwurst with buddies, and No. 38 if you want one to yourself. Do yourself a favor, snag a side of mac and cheese. To drink? Easy, the Old Fashioned.
Renae LJune 26, 2011Upstairs is a good choice if you intend on holding a conversation. Upstairs stops service at nine, though. Mac and cheese- okay at best- I've had much better at other places. You can get a side of it- Shayla MartinFebruary 28, 2012The #20 salad with cherries is my favorite! The cheese curds are some of the best curds I've had in Wisco too!
Matt ShredoJune 18, 2013Wow, they weren't kidding, best cheese curds ever, hands down. And the bloody is fantastic too.- Alice FerrisJuly 24, 2013Try the Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet - Traditional Wisconsin drink. I only drink them when in Wisconsin.
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The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant understand your business, promising national caliber service and 100% responsiveness. We are good at providing every cl...
Open until 1:30 AM (Show more)
- Mon
- 7:30 AM–10:30 PM
- Tue
- 7:30 AM–Midnight
- Wed–Thu
- 7:30 AM–1:00 AM
- Fri
- 7:30 AM–1:30 AM
- Sat
- 9:00 AM–1:30 AM
- Sun
- 9:00 AM–10:30 PM
(608) 310-4545
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
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