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Marigold Kitchen

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A vibrant downtown eatery celebrated for its creative breakfast and lunch fare, warm ambiance, and excellent dietary options.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
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Marigold Kitchen

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant downtown eatery celebrated for its creative breakfast and lunch fare, warm ambiance, and excellent dietary options.

"This is my favorite breakfast place in Madison, it’s in a good and convenient location."

TIP

Weekday visits for quicker seating

Visit on weekdays for faster seating or be prepared for a wait on weekends.

Consider off-peak hours

To avoid crowds, try visiting between breakfast and lunch hours.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Sunday 8AM

Cuisine

American

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(608) 220-9520

Address

118 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Flavorful Breakfast & Brunch

Flavorful Breakfast & Brunch

Creative and flavorful breakfast and brunch options, including Chilaquiles and Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale, and Pesto Hash.

Sun Valley | Best Breakfast and Brunch in Madison, WIThe 10 Best Brunches In Madison, WisconsinThe Best Brunch Spots in Madison, WI
Warm & Welcoming Ambiance

Warm & Welcoming Ambiance

Experience a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or family.

The 5 best brunch places in Madison, according to RedditGoogle Review+1
Impressive Dietary Options

Impressive Dietary Options

Offers numerous well-labeled gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan choices, ensuring everyone can dine comfortably.

The Best Brunch Spots in Madison, WIGoogle Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

come with me for breakfast at marigold kitchen in madison! #breakfast #student #uwmadison #madison #foodreview
@kenadee.e
288 likes • 5.8K views

Weekday visits for quicker seating

Visit on weekdays for faster seating or be prepared for a wait on weekends.

Consider off-peak hours

To avoid crowds, try visiting between breakfast and lunch hours.

Is Marigold Kitchen the best breakfast in Madison, WI? After eating the pancakes we say it’s a strong possibility! #wisconsin #madisonwi #madisonwifood #breakfastclub
@nmwanderers
1 likes • 305 views
Replying to @ellie COFFEE REVIEW — Stop 4: Marigold Kitchen ☕️☕️☕️ Thank u for the rec!!! Ft. @Evelyn 🦋 #madison #wisconsin #coffeereview #coffee #college
@samarnold18
161 likes • 2.3K views

Staff assistance for seating

Staff are helpful in finding seating, even during busy periods.

Unique brunch specials

Try unique dishes like the Key Lime Cheesecake Pancake or Blackberry Cobbler Latte.

Ep 5 | Marigold Kitchen ☕️ #foodreview #carreview #foodrating #eatwithme #marigoldkitchen #blackberrycobblerlatte #stuffedpumpkinfrenchtoast #cafe #breakfastfood #downtownmadison #foodie #madisonfoodrecs #thafoodielovaa
@thafoodielovaa
9 likes • 355 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Weekday visits for quicker seating

Visit on weekdays for faster seating or be prepared for a wait on weekends.

Consider off-peak hours

To avoid crowds, try visiting between breakfast and lunch hours.

Staff assistance for seating

Staff are helpful in finding seating, even during busy periods.

Unique brunch specials

Try unique dishes like the Key Lime Cheesecake Pancake or Blackberry Cobbler Latte.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Marigold Kitchen is a highly praised breakfast and brunch spot, lauded for its creative menu, welcoming atmosphere, and efficient service, even during busy periods. While some find the food a bit bland or the portions could be more generous, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, with many returning customers and strong recommendations for its diverse dietary options and delicious offerings.

"Was super crowded at lunchtime and entirely full with a waiting time of 20 minutes (estimated). I got a turkey sandwich to go. Took about ten minutes. No complaints at all. Was certainly loud inside, so not best for lunchtime discussions. Next time I go I'll pick a between breakfast and lunch time slot. Lol. Good food. Best sandwich I've ever had, no, but great for the area. Might do breakfast there tomorrow. Staff was very helpful for a tourist who didn't know what to do a super crowded place."

Raman Pfaff

"This is my favorite breakfast place in Madison, it’s in a good and convenient location, especially if you want to go to the farmers market, the atmosphere is so good, there are plenty of vegetarian options, and if you time it right then you won’t have to wait long.

You order at the counter and get your own water. They bring you your food.

A little pricey all things considered, especially once you add gratuity. How much do you add when you order at the counter and have to get your own water? 10%, 15%? I usually do 20% but seems not quite right. They probably include tax in the amount they are calculating the gratuity on.

You’ll significantly improve your chances of getting a table sooner the smaller the group of people you go with—2-3 is faster, and if you go just a teeny bit earlier in the morning you’ll get a table sooner too—none of which is not surprising but is helpful."

Benjamin Archer

"Pretty good food but a bit bland like it wasn't seasoned enough. I had the marigold breakfast sandwich and it was a bit too much bread and needed some spinach or some other greens. Well probably be back to try something else because the food was made and cooked well. This place feels like it has great potential but fell a bit flat for our first time."

Matthew McNaught

What People Like

Delicious and creative breakfast/brunch dishes
Warm and welcoming ambiance
Excellent gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options

What People Dislike

Food can occasionally be bland
Can be crowded with a wait

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular dishes include Chilaquiles, Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale, and Pesto Hash, as well as their pancakes and French toast. The Cubano sandwich is also highly recommended.

Sun Valley | Best Breakfast and Brunch in Madison, WIThe Best Brunch Spots in Madison, WIGoogle Review

Yes, Marigold Kitchen has many clearly labeled vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on their menu.

The Best Brunch Spots in Madison, WIGoogle Review

Yes, especially on weekends, Marigold Kitchen is very busy. However, the staff is efficient at seating guests, and many find the wait to be worth it.

Google Review+2

Absolutely! They serve a variety of coffee drinks, including cappuccinos, lattes, and specialty coffees like the Churro Latte.

TikTokGoogle Review+1

The restaurant has a warm, welcoming, and cozy ambiance, described as bright and cheery with an urban feel.

The 5 best brunch places in Madison, according to Reddit8 cozy Madison cafes to add to your weekly rotation | Dining & DrinkGoogle Review

Yes, with its variety of dietary options and welcoming atmosphere, it's a great spot for the whole family.

The Best Brunch Spots in Madison, WI

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The opening of downtown breakfast and lunch spot Marigold Kitchen in 2000 was the culmination of their desire to open a Midwestern restaurant without the insanity (the restaurateurs generously use the word "intensity") of a big-city location. Then, for six years, they waited and devoted their time to Marigold. When their ideal location in the old Machinery Row building became available, their second restaurant, Sardine, became reality.

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While Kristy and Clark Heine have recently become the owners of Marigold Kitchen, it’d be a mistake to consider the duo novices when it comes to restaurant work. Kristy Heine worked for 20 years as the chef de cuisine at this Pinckney Street cafe, and Clark Heine was the front-of-house manager for seven years. Marigold closed its doors in March 2020 with the onset of the pandemic and stayed closed until it reopened last month.

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Brunch menus often consist of rich, heavy options slathered in hollandaise sauce or loaded with bacon. While these dishes are delicious in moderation, if lighter brunch fare is what you’re craving, you’ll find it on the menu at Marigold Kitchen. The unpretentious, vegetarian-friendly line-up includes favorites such as tofu scramble, (made with champagne vinaigrette), barley sauté, chilaquiles and chili poached eggs.

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Pinckney St., reopened in July after it was closed for 16 months due to the pandemic. With its smart, cheery, urban feel and signature breakfast potatoes, the cafe has been a Madison favorite for 20 years, and its recent change in ownership has been seamless. New owners Kristy Blossom Heine and Clark Heine, who took over the business from John Gadau and Phillip Hurley, had lots of experience as Marigold employees.

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Dive into the heart of downtown Madison, and you’ll find Marigold, a brunch sanctuary that radiates warmth and joy the moment you step through its doors. This sun-kissed café serves up a brunch that brilliantly combines the zest of fresh, locally sourced ingredients with the comforting embrace of home-cooked meals. Marigold’s café buzzes with the energy of morning hellos and the clinking of coffee cups.

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A Pinckney Street classic, Marigold Kitchen serves brunch all day on the weekends. Classics like pancakes, French toast and omelets alongside unique dishes like the three grain tempeh bowl and duck confit hash make this menu well-balanced and delicious. Vegan options (like the tofu scramble) and gluten free options (like the chilaquiles) make this a phenomenal brunch spot for the whole family.

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Ever since it opened back in 2001, Marigold Kitchen has been serving up some of the best breakfast food that Madison has to offer. With fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, Marigold creates a plethora of delicious breakfast plates, like their popular chilaquiles. Marigold Kitchen is also known for serving up delicious and creative caffeinated drinks with locally roasted coffee beans.

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If you’re looking for a cozy and welcoming atmosphere paired with a diverse menu, Marigold Kitchen is an excellent choice. Located on the Capitol Square, this restaurant specializes in American cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The brunch menu is particularly popular, featuring dishes like the savory cornmeal pancakes and the classic eggs Benedict.

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Other dining options in town include Marigold Kitchen for breakfast and brunch, Sardine for brunch, the Tornado Club Steak House for an authentic supper club experience and Tempest Oyster Bar for seafood. My local friends also love Tempest. For a supper club experience you might you enjoy Kavanaugh’s Esquire Club since 1947 at 1025 N.

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