Tipsy Cow
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Tipsy Cow

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A vibrant Madison brewpub serving some of the city's best bar food, featuring legendary cheese curds and juicy burgers with a great beer selection.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Tipsy Cow

Tipsy Cow

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant Madison brewpub serving some of the city's best bar food, featuring legendary cheese curds and juicy burgers with a great beer selection.

"Don’t miss this gem with a great outdoor patio and really friendly service!"

TIP

Beat the Crowds

Visit during off-peak hours to avoid wait times, especially on weekends.

Explore the Beer List

Inquire about the rotating craft beer selection from US breweries.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Friday 11AM

Cuisine

American Bar Food

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(608) 287-1455

Address

102 King St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Legendary Cheese Curds

Legendary Cheese Curds

Crispy, golden fried cheese curds are a must-try, with rave reviews for both regular and goat cheese varieties.

Best Things to Do in Madison, Wisconsin: Where to Stay and What to EatWhere to eat Madison's unique cheese curd creationsGoogle Review+3
Juicy Smash Burgers

Juicy Smash Burgers

The Tipsy Burger, a double smash burger, is highly recommended for its juicy patties and flavorful toppings.

Google Review+1
Prime Capitol Square Views

Prime Capitol Square Views

Enjoy a cozy atmosphere and excellent bar food with outdoor seating offering views of the Capitol.

14 Madison Wisconsin Restaurants So Good You'll Want to Move There!Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Beat the Crowds

Visit during off-peak hours to avoid wait times, especially on weekends.

Explore the Beer List

Inquire about the rotating craft beer selection from US breweries.

Embrace the Curds

Order cheese curds and eat them hot and fresh for maximum deliciousness.

Outdoor Seating

Opt for outdoor seating for a lovely vibe and people-watching, especially when live music is on.

Tips

from all over the internet

Beat the Crowds

Visit during off-peak hours to avoid wait times, especially on weekends.

Explore the Beer List

Inquire about the rotating craft beer selection from US breweries.

Embrace the Curds

Order cheese curds and eat them hot and fresh for maximum deliciousness.

Outdoor Seating

Opt for outdoor seating for a lovely vibe and people-watching, especially when live music is on.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Tipsy Cow is a beloved brewpub praised for its exceptional cheese curds and juicy burgers, offering a vibrant atmosphere and friendly service. While many rave about the diverse menu and extensive beer selection, some find the interior can be loud and occasionally service can be slow. The outdoor seating and Capitol views are a significant draw, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors.

"The Tipsy Cow was by far my favorite place to eat in Madison, WI! I ate there multiple times while visiting and I will go back again and again the next time I’m in Madison. I had the Mushroom Swiss Burger which was incredible!!! The meat was soooo fresh and juicy and with mushrooms and Swiss cheese smothered on top it made this burger one of the best I’ve ever tasted! I went with the tater tots as a side and they were good, but the Memphis dry rub made these babies a bit spicy. I’m a spicy kind of guy and they got spicy so keep that in mind. So, I saved the best for last the Local Goat Cheese Curds. I have never had a cheese curd like the Tipsy Cow’s cheese curds. They are better than all the cheese curds I had in Madison by far and everyone in my group seemed to agree. If you don’t get these cheese curds then I just wouldn’t bother getting any from anywhere else. So, thank you to the Tipsy Cow for making my food experience so good during my visit!!! I’ll be back for sure!!!"

Robert Lemons

"Dog-friendly patio! They were super sweet and offered my pup a bowl of water. Staff was incredible. Highly recommend Korean BBQ fries and cheese curds. Crispy Chicken sandwich was a bit dry."

Victoria Soto

"Visited Tipsy Cow with my husband.
We first sat down in the bar to wait for a table. The bar tender ignored us for about 5 minutes.
Its incredibly loud inside so if weather permits sit outside if u want to hear the people you are having dinner with.
If you'd rather not hear them, than make sure to sit inside and pretend you are listening.
We finally got our table outside.
Our waitress was great.
I personally did not like the goat cheese curds and preferred the regular ones. Those were tasty.
My husband had the lamb burger and I had the guacamole burger.
I didn't love it.
Will visit again to try something new"

Amy

What People Like

Incredible cheese curds (regular & goat cheese)
Juicy and flavorful smash burgers
Friendly and attentive staff

What People Dislike

Can be very loud inside
Occasional slow service

Frequently Asked Questions

The legendary cheese curds, especially the local goat cheese variety, and the Tipsy Burger are highly recommended by diners.

Where to eat Madison's unique cheese curd creationsGoogle Review+1

Yes, Tipsy Cow has a dog-friendly patio where they offer water bowls for your pets.

The Top Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Madison, WIGoogle Review

Reservations are not mentioned, but be prepared for a wait, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Google Review

The atmosphere is lively and cozy, with outdoor seating offering views of the Capitol. It can get loud inside.

Google Review+1

Yes, they boast a large tap list with a rotating selection of craft beers from breweries across the US.

Google Review

Parking is not available on-site, as it is located downtown. Visitors will need to find street parking.

Google Review+1

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Best Things to Do in Madison, Wisconsin: Where to Stay and What to Eat

If you prefer your cheese curds battered in the beloved local ale Spotted Cow, head to Tipsy Cow near the Capitol Square. Over on the East Side of town, Starkweather Brewing Company offers deep fried Munster curds from Decatur Dairy in Brodhead, WI. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, or cheese block, for Madison’s cheese curd scene.

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The Tipsy Cow, located in the heart of downtown Madison near the State Capitol, is a beloved watering hole that offers a genuine Wisconsin experience. Known for its extensive selection of locally sourced beers and craft cocktails, this bar also serves up some of the city’s best bar food, including their famous cheese curds. A frequent host of live music events, The Tipsy Cow offers a lively yet relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for both after-work drinks and weekend revelry.

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Welcome to the dinner party | MADISON MAGAZINE

This is a new way to ‘restaurant,’ ” says O’Halloran, who was chef and partner of local eatery Lombardino’s from 2000-22, and also a founding partner in The Old Fashioned and Tipsy Cow. He says it’s a more controlled dining experience with a tasting menu, laid-back service, drink pairings and a festive atmosphere. Many of these parties include curated menus, clever themes and specific guest lists.

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The Top Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Madison, WI

The Tipsy Cow is a classic Wisconsin-style restaurant and bar. This dog-friendly eatery has two locations—one in Madison, and one in Sun Prairie. Established in 2011, the Tipsy Cow has always committed to using "high quality ingredients [and] adding simple touches for a tasty, fresh product." The bar offers a rotating selection of craft beers from all over the US.

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Gib's Bar in Madison stands alone for many reasons: it's built inside of 19th century home that's been refurbished, feels equally homey inside and requires you to enter through the neighboring Grandpa's restaurant in order to access it. Once you get inside, however, you'll be greeted by some of the kindest bartenders and most unique drink specials in town!

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20 Best Restaurants in Madison, WI

The Tipsy Cow is a lovely bar set in a corner brownstone with outdoor seating facing the Capitol and fantastic pub food that has been carefully selected over the past decade to delight customers. The bar also offers a rotating selection of draft beer. When you go to the Tipsy Cow, be sure to order The Tipsy Brussels & Bacon Burger, a beef patty

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Where to eat Madison's unique cheese curd creations

Goat cheese curds at Tipsy Cow: Casually following the fried cheese curds on Tipsy’s menu is what looks like an afterthought: local goat cheese curds. It’s hard to branch out from their amazing regular curds, but give the goat cheese version a shot. They’re a little creamier and larger than the regular curds, not to mention more tangy.

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Fantastic Fish Fry Itinerary: Our Best Bets

Just off the Capitol Square there's Tipsy Cow, a triangular-shaped tavern that serves their fish fry with Tipsy Sauce instead of tartar. Meanwhile, if you're in Waunakee and craving fish fry, stop by The Lone Girl Brewing Company to get your fix while enjoying a craft beer and family-friendly atmosphere.

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The Best Rehearsal Dinner Spots in Madison, WI

We recommend choosing a menu that differs from your wedding day to give your guests a unique experience. : Since the rehearsal dinner typically takes place the night before the wedding, simplicity is key to avoiding stress. Consider hiring a wedding planner to take care of the details.

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14 Madison Wisconsin Restaurants So Good You'll Want to Move There!

Tipsy Cow, located just off Capitol Square, has been the downtown destination for great corner tavern food for over a decade. It was a little too cool for us to sit on the outdoor patio with one of the best views of the Capitol, but that didn’t stop us from ordering a beer or two.

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9 Spots for a Fish Fry in Madison,WI

On the other side of Capitol Square, folks enjoy their fish fry with a side of tasty tipsy sauce at Tipsy Cow. Stop in Thursday night for the fish taco special, or Friday for walleye and cod battered with Spotted Cow beer from New Glarus Brewing Co.

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Highest-rated Restaurants in Madison, According to Tripadvisor

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (259 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Bar- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 102 King St, Madison, WI 53703-3314- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tipsy Cow – During my time in Madison, the food that I was most looking forward to eating was cheese curds. And Tipsy Cow in downtown Madison had some delicious ones!. I enjoyed a great dinner here with Tyler Engel of AccessiMingos.

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Cheese Curd Crawl: 7 Spots to Get Your Fried Fix

In addition to grilling up some killer burgers, Tipsy Cow's cheese curd game is strong. Battered in one of Wisconsin's finest craft beers, Spotted Cow, these curds often rank at the top of many locals' lists – and for good reason.

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Wisconsin Eats: The Best Fried Cheese Curds

For those who are a little more adventurous, check out the Local Goat Cheese Curds at the Tipsy Cow downtown Madison. I wish I was eating them right now. If goat cheese isn’t your style, their cow cheese curds are also quite good.

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Because going to the Tipsy Cow you’re guaranteed to have one. Another one of Madtown’s brewpubs, the food is excellent and there is usually less of a wait than a few of the other bars nearby. Pro tip: order the truffle fries.

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Throw your guilt aside and enjoy scrumptious truffle fries, Spotted Cow beer-battered fat onion rings, and local-sourced lamb and beef burgers along with an excellent assortment of other sandwiches.

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The Tipsy Cow is another great spot in Madison to grab some late-night food. They are open until 2 a.m. most nights and have a wide array of appetizers, sandwiches, dessert, and more.

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BEST TACOS in MADISON WI

You may not think that this place has a taco place, well it’s not. Tipsy Cow is our go-to place for a quick bite!. You walk in, and you are welcomed by an employee to get seated.

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Madison, WI Food recommendations? | Travel

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.

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These curds use Spotted Cow beer batter — making them truly unique to the state — seeing that Spotted Cow beer is only sold in Wisconsin.

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Which Madison restaurant has the best cheese curds? : madisonwi

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Tipsy Cow (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Food Guide