Other nice downtown and campus places: Crave, Cocoliquot (on King Street), the new Samba Brazilian steakhouse, Frida's (on State Street), the Sardine, ElDorado Grill(southwestern) on Williamson Street, the Old Fashioned (on the Square), Johnny Delmonico's, and Fresco, to name a few. Madison is restaurant-rich, so there are more downtown, plus lots of ethnic, pizza, and brat places on or just off State Street. A couple great hamburger places on campus are the Nitty Gritty and Dotty Dumpling's Dowery.

Sardine is the Madison restaurant that checks every box: the patio has a great view of Lake Monona, it’s the perfect place for a first date, and the French food is all excellent. Stick with Sardine’s staples, like the moules-frites, duck confit frisée salad, and the slightly unexpected gruyère-draped hot dog, which you can only get at the bar (a.k.a. the best seat in the house). Speaking of the bar, we love hanging there for Happy Hour when they do $5 Kronenbourg and discounted East Coast oysters.

MarquetteSardine is the rare Madison spot that boasts beautiful views inside and out: The sleek interior, complete with gleaming brass fixtures, subway tile, and exposed wood accents, offers stunning views of the open raw bar and nearby Lake Monona. The dining room is open and airy, but we recommend posting up at the bar. It’s the perfect vantage point for enjoying the excellent oyster happy hour (a dollar off East Coast oysters and $5 glasses of house red, white, or rose) and a tin of sardines.

In college towns like Madison, brunch is often an opportunity to cure a hangover with eggs and coffee. But at Sardine a brunch outing at this French-inspired bistro is an opportunity to savor flavorful dishes and is the ultimate location if you’re looking to impress. Slide onto a stool at the pewter-topped bar and order off the lovely chalkboard menus or find a spot on the patio perched on the shore of Lake Monona.

Situated on Machinery Row—a series of former warehouse buildings that once stored block ice and tobacco—Sardine delivers a classic French bistro feel in a large, airy dining room with views overlooking Lake Monona. Try to snag one of the coveted patio tables during the warmer months, where you can dine alfresco on bistro classics like steak frites with maitre d’ butter, pan-seared skate wing, moules frites, or sweetbreads with brioche toast and brandied mushrooms. If dining solo or snacking with friends, saddle up to the bar, where an extensive wine list and tap beer selection will keep your thirst quenched as you pick at bar menu favorites like oeufs mayonnaise, chicken liver toasts, or the top-selling bistro hot dog, which is served in a baguette slathered with Dijon mustard and smothered with melted gruyère.

Not sure about their gluten free offerings, but I just went to Sardine on Lake Monona (in the same building as Machinery Row Bicycles) on the corner of John Nolan and Williamson Streets and the food was fantastic. It was fairly pricey - entries were about $20 - $30 and that did not include salad, soup or sides (all of which were available a la carte) - but the service was great, the atmosphere really nice. The only thing that disappointed me was something that will work in your favor given your plans for the rest of the day.

Nestled along the serene shores of Lake Monona, Sardine stands out as a beacon of brunch excellence, beckoning food enthusiasts to dive into a world of culinary delight. The moment you step in, you’re wrapped in an ambiance that marries the casual elegance of lakeside dining with the warmth of a Sunday family meal. Sardine’s menu is a loving ode to the seasons, featuring dishes that are as fresh as they are inventive, ensuring every visit is a new adventure for your palate.

Sardine is the Madison restaurant that checks every box: the patio has a great view of Lake Monona, it’s the perfect place for a first date, and the French food is all excellent. Stick with Sardine’s staples, like the moules-frites, duck confit frisée salad, and the slightly unexpected gruyère-draped hot dog, which you can only get at the bar. Speaking of the bar, we love hanging there for Happy Hour when they do $5 Kronenbourg and discounted East Coast oysters.

In college towns like Madison, brunch is often an opportunity to cure a hangover with eggs and coffee. Not at Sardine – a brunch outing at this French-inspired bistro is an opportunity to savor flavorful dishes and is the ultimate location if you’re looking to impress your dining companion. Slide onto a stool at the pewter-topped bar and order off the lovely chalkboard menus or, if you’re lucky, find a spot on the patio perched on the shore of Lake Monona.

The decision to move both of their families to Madison, Wisconsin to start a joint venture happened in 2000 with the launching of Marigold Kitchen, a breakfast and lunch restaurant one block off of the Capital Square. When a raw space in the historical tobacco/icehouse Machinery Row became available Gadau and Hurley seized the opportunity to open their next restaurant, Sardine, a lakeside bistro and bar, in the spring of 2006.

One of the most exquisitely appointed restaurants in Madison, open since 2006, Sardine is a beloved institution, perched on the shores of Lake Monona. Once an icehouse and tobacco warehouse, the vintage bistro aesthetic carries on beautifully with wood beams and subway tile throughout. The French-inspired seasonal menu focuses heavily on meat and seafood — like the seared salmon, cassoulet and, of course, moules frites.

One of the most exquisitely appointed restaurants in Madison open since 2006, Sardine is a beloved institution, perched on the shores of Lake Monona. Once an icehouse and tobacco warehouse, the vintage bistro aesthetic carries on beautifully with wood beams and subway tile throughout. The French-inspired seasonal menu focuses heavily on meat and seafood—like the seared salmon, cassoulet and of course, moules frites.

You can buy JBC coffee on their website (use the coupon code “freeship” to get free shipping on orders of three or more bags), or find it in several Madison coffee shops including Cafe Domestique, Madison Sourdough, Leopold's, Sardine, The Old Fashioned, Lane's Bakery, Ugly Apple Cafe, Liv's Drink Emporium and Twisted Grounds. It’s also available for sale at all Willy St. Co-op stores and Jennifer Street Market.

Yet maybe the restaurant most emblematic of Madison's culinary ascendance is Sardine, overlooking broad Lake Monona. Opened by Chicagoans John Gadau and Phillip Hurley in 2006, the restaurant was part of a culinary wave drawing creative chefs to Madison, lured by relatively low rents and a hungry market. Located in a historic, renovated Machinery Row warehouse, the dining room makes for a handsome, airy space.

I’m a big breakfast person, and there is one brunch restaurants that stands out above all the rest in Madison -- Sardine. An upscale French seafood restaurant that looks out over Lake Monona, I love the crisp, clean design of Sardine with the exposed wood beams and natural light. There’s usually a wait, but it’s easy enough to grab a spot in the bar area or make a reservation ahead of time.

You couldn’t ask for a better setting than Sardine, a sleek bistro-style spot overlooking Lake Monona. The menu offers inventive European-inspired dishes like the wood-grilled Spanish octopus with chili lemon garlic aioli, roasted lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms with seared polenta, and the braised chicken on a bed of creamy risotto. Be sure to save room for one of their divine desserts.

Menus at both Marigold and Sardine are carried off well, with atmospheres that support the food. Marigold standouts include pillowy blueberry pancakes and a breakfast sandwich whose praises are sung all the way around the Square. Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Sardine is unrepentantly French, but the dishes tend to whisper their provenance.

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.

A hip bistro that offers stunning views of Lake Monona, Sardine is one of the best restaurants in Madison WI that you should try. This is one of the best places for brunch in Madison WI as well as romantic dinners with your partner. It is quite popular among the locals which is why you need a reservation to eat at this restaurant.

Overlooking Lake Monona, Sardine provides a charming waterfront setting for a romantic evening. With its French-inspired menu, the restaurant offers a range of seafood options, as well as delectable vegetarian dishes. The staff is accommodating and can make adjustments to the menu to ensure a satisfying dining experience.

Set in a former warehouse on Lake Monona, Sardine is a French restaurant serving up fresh takes on classic cuisines. It’s co-owned and run by chefs John Gadau and Phillip Hurley, who hail from Chicago and learned their trade in California. At Sardine, you’ll want to ensure you make it for brunch on Saturday or Sunday.

This French-inspired bistro has amazing views of Lake Monona and beautiful food to match. Sardine features simple, thoughtfully-crafted and seasonal dishes that highlight ingredients grown right in the local community. When it comes to dining worry-free, the staff is very detailed with food allergies.

If you’re looking for the best seafood in the city, look no further than Sardine. This restaurant has a dinner menu featuring flounder, seared scallops, and hand-cured salmon. Their brunch menu stretches from the sweet and decadent Belgian waffles to the savory crab, bacon, lardon, and shrimp cakes.

Sardine has become my go-to place for excellent French cuisine in Madison. Their diverse and delightful menu accompanied by the warm, rustic yet chic interior has always been a great combo. The view of Lake Monona adds an extra charm, making the outdoor dining experience really endearing.

As the only James Beard Award-nominated restaurant with a stunning lakeside view, Sardine is a romantic bistro and bar with an incredible dinner menu and beloved Saturday and Sunday brunch. Locals rave about their frites, which are not only acceptable but encouraged as a brunch course.

In the Spring of 2006, Co-owners and chefs, John Gadau and Phillip Hurley, decided to open their lakeside bistro and bar, Sardine. Located in the historical tobacco/ icehouse Machinery Row, the restaurant offers entrees including wood-grilled rainbow trout and pan roasted duck breast.

617 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703Phone: 608-441-1600 Visit Website. A post shared by Sardine (@sardinemadison). You’ll get brunch with a view at Sardine, a picturesque French restaurant inside an old tobacco and icehouse in Machinery Row, overlooking Lake Monona.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (660 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Seafood- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 617 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703-3543- Read more on Tripadvisor

617 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703-3543+1 608-441-1600 See Menu. Sardine captures a bit of Paris on the lakeshore, without trying too hard. The sunlit space and lively hum set the stage for a seafood menu that’s as smart as it is inviting.

And for those who follow James Beard award winners and nominees, there’s Sardine with John Gadau and Phillip Hurley, A Pig in a Fur Coat with Dan Bonanno and Nostrano with pastry chef Elizabeth Dahl, all sure to make your “Best of” list.

Sardine is a gorgeous place to go for a night out on the town. Sardine offers creative French fare, which you can eat in one of Madison’s historic neighborhoods while enjoying calming views of Lake Monona.

Their breakfast/brunch menu features unique dishes like a combined crab, bacon, and shrimp cake, baked creamed eggs, and more familiar items like Belgium waffles and brioche french toast.

Or, take a true seafood aficionado to Sardine, where the seafood menu is far from fried, and features everything from salmon and scallops to mussels and their famous Oyster Happy Hour.

Sardine: 617 Williamson St, downtown Madison on Lake Monona. Bistro-style dining featuring French and American cuisine including seafood hors d’oeuvres and unique dining options.

Overview: Sardine combines French bistro vibes with breathtaking lakeside views. It’s a timeless spot for brunch or dinner, particularly for those who appreciate ambiance.

Sardine is a warm, rustic-chic bistro co-owned by Chef John Gadau and Chef Phillip Hurley, serving seasonal and locally sourced inventive French dishes with a lively bar.

Before leaving Madison, grab breakfast at Sardine, where you can enjoy French-inspired dishes by Lake Monona. Then start your drive towards Arches National Park.

Sardine on Williamson Street for brunch is a great first date option!. Wonderful food, wonderful service and very affordable for brunch.” — Diane A.

Sardine – Also an eclectic menu, excellent food, a little noisy, but on the water and we love their creative menu, great food and atmosphere.

The bar at Sardine, a white-tablecloth restaurant in Madison, Wis., offers an oyster happy hour and its own delicious menu.

(bar area only) | Imbibe during this dollar-off oyster happy hour with a glass of $6 wine or an $8 featured cocktail.