First SettlementSettle Down Tavern magnifies the best aspects of Wisconsin taverns of yore: comfortable service, free-flowing booze, and a truly superior burger. This Capitol-area eatery has two exceptional versions, a beef smash burger and a plant-based counterpart, both perfectly crisped at the edges. The menu is relatively small—a series of snacks, a grain bowl, a chicken sandwich, nightly specials—but who needs more when everything tastes so good?

Settle Down had been on the list—thanks to another recommendation in the comments from Todd who’d also recommended Ian’s Pizza—but after the non-appearance of the advertised outdoor seating at the Old Fashioned the previous evening we were taking nothing for granted, Thankfully, a phone call to Settle Down confirmed the existence of a lot of outdoor seating and on arrival we saw that it was indeed so. The entire street in front of the restaurant was closed to traffic and strewn with tables and chairs. We picked one and then another and then another before finally finding one that was completely out of the blazing sun.

Just off the Capitol Square, the Settle Down Tavern is already famous for its creative cocktails, such as an Old Fashioned spiked with Campari bitters. The diner features comfort food all day, but the best time to come is Friday, when the fish platter includes a lager-battered and fried Alaskan cod sharing space with peppadew relish, pickled jalapeno and lime slaw.

Next, pop into Settle Down Tavern, where “regulars are our best friends,” according to Ryan Huber, one of the bar’s operating partners. Huber is also a partner at Oz by Oz, which is connected through an atrium to Settle Down. There, Huber says, you can expect “amaro and astrology, sensations and libations.” Oz by Oz “serves spirits” in more ways than one.

Pinckney St., has evolved more than once since it opened in summer 2020. Over the winter, Settle Down made outdoor dining appealing by creating the Tundra Club, an “up north” themed cafe zone complete with cardboard cutouts of deer and coyote (one named Don Coyoté) and rows of pine trees. This spring, they introduced sunny yellow patio furniture.

Sam Parker, Ryan Huber and Brian Bartels opened The Settle Down Tavern in the middle of a pandemic and serve a mean burger. Parker said the bar is doing takeout and delivery, and can seat customers in the tavern and in the attached atrium under its glass ceiling. "It’s the next best thing to being outside without being outside," Parker said.

A recent opening on the Madison brunch scene is Settle Down Tavern. Located on Pinckney Street just off the capitol square, Settle Down opened in the heart of the pandemic. The massive patio outside was a big draw for diners, along with their scrumptious and familiar Wisconsin pub food.

From quick delicious burgers to gourmet craft cocktails and an incredible energy, Settle Down Tavern offers a large patio right off the Capitol Square. Try their popular Good Idea Burger with fries or ask about their creative daily specials.

Downtown spots like Merchant, Lucille, Settle Down Tavern, and Heritage Tavern have all started shaking in-house mocktail creations. Atwood’s Mint Mark also offers a full mocktail menu, as do both Eno Vino locations.

ETA: Best combination of burger and curds is Tipsy Cow or Settle Down. You'll see plenty of people give you The Old Fashioned, which is plenty good, but also the most popular.

Pinckney St. | You can’t miss the iconic yellow chairs and tables that makeup Settle Down’s patio. A new grain bowl + seasonal cocktails make this a summertime favorite.