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!
"Cheese curds, Mac and cheese, cherry and gorgonzola salad"(81 Tips)
"Good Wisconsin beers, fish frys, and of course old fashioneds"(8 Tips)
"House Burger (#30) is goddamn fantastic."(8 Tips)
"Try the brandy old fashioned, they also have a great fish fry"(7 Tips)
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The burgers are sensational and well-priced (especially like the Wisconsin burger), and 2-for-1 cheeseburger Monday’s is an incredible deal.
Upvoted 1 week ago
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.
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!!
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."
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.
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. :)
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.
Tracy CraneJuly 11, 2015Cheese curds are amazing! Burgers are great. Old fashion and brandy slush were fantastic, too! Can't go wrong here.
Amazing Brandy old fashioned, fried cheese curds and classic WI entrees.
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!
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!
Michal SchmittDecember 20, 2015Quarter if the apple fritter was more than sufficient. It's huge! Great atmosphere right on the square.
- They have the fish fry every day 😍 the combo platter (perch, cod and walleye) is perfection
Ben MorrowOctober 23, 2016Cheese curds were great! The reuben (special) was really tasty. Definitely try an old fashioned, the signature brandy cocktail.
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.
Stacy Bo BacyJuly 15, 2018Best fried cheese curds and old fashions, ever. Paprika sauce is the best.
Paul RossmanNovember 9, 2014Best restaurant on the square! Cheese curds, lazy susans, trout, cheese burgers. Draft beer selection is incredible, all Wisconsin.
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.- Lots of Old Fashioned flavor options! The apple brandy and door county cherry were delicious!
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.
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!
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.
Eric GeorgeJuly 19, 2019Best happy hour and cheese curds in town...in the state for that matter. Excellent beer selection, all WI brewed.
Lee SafferSeptember 30, 2016Great selection of Wisconsin craft beer along with locally influenced pub grub, cheese curds are a must!
Aaron TaggartOctober 4, 2014Cheese curds!! The burgers are amazing too!! I absolutely love this place! The atmosphere, the workers, everything is great!!
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
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!
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!!
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.)
Greg S.September 13, 2016Great beer selection, great food. Love their cheese curds. The French dip sandwich is really nice.
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.
Scott BlanchardDecember 21, 2018Excellent Wisco fare—cheese curds, burgers, great tap selections and tasty cocktails.
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!
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.
Adriana AlcazarAugust 30, 2013Cheese curds are a MUST. We split the Spicy and The Old Fashioned burger... both were out of this world !
Jim AndersonMay 28, 2012Try the Beer Flight - The Beer Flight includes 4x 3 oz Snits for a mere $4. I chose 35. Shine On, 37. Lupulin Maximus, 38. 3 ft. Deep Stout & 49. Amber
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.
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.
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!
Alice FerrisJuly 24, 2013Try the House Burger - Lots going on here...fried egg, bacon, cheddar, and I added fresh jalapenos. Fork and knife burger.
Matthew TaubAugust 28, 2016Over 150 wi beers, three nitro taps, and a rotational infused liquor. If you have four our more in your party get a lazy Susan.
Katie MillikenMarch 25, 20152-for-1 rail mixers and beers after 10 Tuesday-Thursday and sometimes on Monday! Karaoke on Wednesdays!
TV Food MapsAugust 28, 2014Check out The Old Fashioned as seen on Best Thing I Ever Ate , Crave Read more- 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.
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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...
Closed until 11:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Fri
- 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Sat
- 9:00 AM–10:00 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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- 8.7
"Their cheese curds are delicious and so are their burgers! Nice ambiance being on the square as well."
Brooke Harding - 8.8
"Great atmosphere, fun bartenders and the food was very good. Love the wings"
Philip Murray - 7.5
"Loved their Friday fish dinner. I had baked, hubby had fried. Both were delish!"
Sue Lux
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- 8.5
"Beautiful architecture and a great place for history buffs! Right in the centre of the city, and access to UW, lots of shops and places to eat."
Markus Tarjamo - 8.3
"Nice upscale tavern atmosphere. Good lunch spot. Great location."
Joanna Merrill - 8.5
"Poutine with their ham made in house with the cheese curds is delicious"
Tom Makinney
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