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The Old Fashioned

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A retro-style tavern celebrating Wisconsin's best, from over 150 local beers to award-winning cheese curds and locally sourced comfort food.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Outside

The Old Fashioned

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A retro-style tavern celebrating Wisconsin's best, from over 150 local beers to award-winning cheese curds and locally sourced comfort food.

"The Old Fashioned is a true Madison staple, serving up classic Midwestern comfort food and local brews."

TIP

Reservations Recommended

The restaurant is popular, especially on weekends. Consider making a reservation to avoid a wait.

Try the Wisconsin Benedict

Swap traditional ham for bratwurst in this unique take on a brunch classic.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11AM

Cuisine

American (Midwestern)

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(608) 310-4545

Address

23 N Pinckney St #1, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Award-Winning Cheese Curds

Award-Winning Cheese Curds

Crispy, golden-brown cheese curds, often hailed as the best in Wisconsin, served with a tangy dipping sauce.

TikTokGoogle Review+2
Extensive Wisconsin Beer Selection

Extensive Wisconsin Beer Selection

Sip from over 150 Wisconsin beers on tap, offering a true taste of the state's diverse craft brewing scene.

The 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin - MadisonCraft Beer Guide to Madison, WisconsinThe Best Bars in Madison, Wisconsin 2025
Locally Sourced Wisconsin Flavors

Locally Sourced Wisconsin Flavors

Experience a menu celebrating Wisconsin's bounty, from bratwurst in the Benedict to local beers and cheeses.

The Best Brunches In Madison WisconsinThe 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin - Madison20 Best Restaurants in Madison, WI
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The @Food Network voted this place “The Best Cheese Curds in Wisconsin” #thingstodoinmadisonwi #madisonwi
@hollyintheclouds
284 likes • 21.6K views

Reservations Recommended

The restaurant is popular, especially on weekends. Consider making a reservation to avoid a wait.

Try the Wisconsin Benedict

Swap traditional ham for bratwurst in this unique take on a brunch classic.

Had a 30-hour layover in Madison, Wisconsin, and made the most of every minute! Ate cheese curds at the Old Fashioned restaurant. Toured the Wisconsin State Capitol and took in the stunning city views from the observation deck. Stopped by a local cheese shop to grab some Wisconsin-made favorites to take home. Strolled through State Street, explored the UW–Madison campus, and soaked up the lakefro...
@flywithshantelle
16 likes • 408 views

Embrace Wisconsin Cheese

Cheese curds are a must-try, but also explore other cheesy delights on the menu.

Go Local with Beer

If cocktails aren't your preference, explore the vast selection of Wisconsin beers.

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations Recommended

The restaurant is popular, especially on weekends. Consider making a reservation to avoid a wait.

Try the Wisconsin Benedict

Swap traditional ham for bratwurst in this unique take on a brunch classic.

Embrace Wisconsin Cheese

Cheese curds are a must-try, but also explore other cheesy delights on the menu.

Go Local with Beer

If cocktails aren't your preference, explore the vast selection of Wisconsin beers.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Old Fashioned is a highly recommended spot in Madison, celebrated for its extensive selection of Wisconsin beers and its iconic, highly-rated cheese curds. While many praise the generous portions and fun, vintage atmosphere, some diners found certain dishes to be average or too heavy. Service is generally friendly, but the popularity can lead to waits, making reservations a good idea.

"Food - This place brags about the cheese curds, so we needed to first try them out. Did not disappoint. The batter had an almost slightly sweet flavor paired with the paprika dipping sauce, which was fantastic. Next, we ordered 2 old fashions. One was the cherry old fashioned with bourbon, and the second was a regular old fashioned with brandy. Perfectly done and very tasty. For the main, we had the chicken and biscuits, which was basically an inside-out pot pie. Biscuits were soft and buttery, and the chicken and vegetables were excellent. We also had the Ruben. It was piled high and one of the best I have had in some time. Meat was cooked perfectly, and the extra 1000 island sauce for dipping was nice.

Service - We didn't have reservations, so we sat at the bar. The bartender was very kind and was easily managing the crowd at the bar. There are 2 parts of the restaurant for seating, but it would be highly suggested to make a reservation no matter what.

Restaurant - Everything we saw was clean and maintained. Floors were taken care of, and the bar was not sticky. It is pretty cramped inside, mainly due to the popularity and wanting to get as many tables inside and available. Lots of old signs and pictures adorn the walls.

Overall - Great food, great drinks. Would visit again with some friends or family, we did see a few other dishes being brought out to other tables that looked amazing. Make reservations, we went an hour before closing, and it was still packed."

Cory McClain

"Our driver to the hotel was a local that recommended this place. Short walk to where we stayed, had everything on our list to want to try in Wisconsin, so we made the visit to The Old Fashion. Atmosphere was pub-like and host were friendly. We were sat upstairs where it was definitely a lot cooler in temp. Ordered cheese curds and poutine right away. We also tried out the classic old fashion was sweet and tasty. Altogether we ordered Mac and cheese, fried walleye and patty melt for our mains. Everything was okay. The cheese curds were salty and seemed like they may have been sitting so they didn’t have that cheesy effect I was expecting. I had the walleye (as pictured) not as good as I thought it would be. Bland in taste but my favorite of everything I ate were the fries. Considering the number of reviews and the fact that they’re well known for their cheese curds, I was rather disappointed in the visit. Had great company and glad I got to at least give this place a try."

Ashley Stallings

"Cute old-style decoration inside, and great view on the Capitol outside. Great vibes. Was expecting a dark crowded place, but it felt spacious with plenty of natural light. Now, we were happy to taste Wisconsin specialties, but not brave enough not finish anything. Nothing to blame on the preparations, was better than what we ate at other places, but so greasy, so heavy. You need lots of alcohol to burn all this hard stuff. And a 1w of veggie diet to rebalance your stomach. And I'm still looking for real 🧀"

Sylvain Francois

What People Like

Incredible cheese curds
Vast Wisconsin beer selection
Generous portion sizes

What People Dislike

Some dishes can be heavy or greasy
Curds sometimes inconsistent
Can be crowded with waits

Frequently Asked Questions

The cheese curds are a standout, often called the best in Wisconsin. Other popular choices include the Wisconsin Benedict, burgers, and fish fries.

TikTok20 Best Restaurants in Madison, WIGoogle Review

Yes, they boast over 150 Wisconsin beers on tap, offering a comprehensive taste of the local craft beer scene.

The 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin - MadisonCraft Beer Guide to Madison, Wisconsin

While not always mandatory, reservations are highly suggested, especially during peak hours and weekends, as the restaurant is very popular.

Google Review

The atmosphere is described as vintage-inspired, retro-style, and lively, with decor featuring old signs and photos.

The 14 Best Restaurants In Madison, Wisconsin - MadisonGoogle Review

The menu includes items like macaroni and cheese and salads, and some appetizers can be enjoyed by vegetarians.

Absolutely! The restaurant is named after the classic cocktail and offers a well-made version, along with other signature drinks.

The Best Bars in Madison, Wisconsin 2025Google Review

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