Fall Foodie Favorites

As the seasons change, so do the food and drink offerings served around town, and fall brings some of the best flavors. Whether looking for something pumpkin-spiced, filled with apples or sweetened with maple syrup, Middleton has a delicious taste of it all.

Fall brews (from morning to night)

For an award-winning fall flavor, head to Capital Brewery for a pint of their Oktoberfest. The brewery’s version of Oktoberfest has a deep amber hue with rich malty overtones that pair perfectly with the season. If looking for a fruitier fall beer, Capital Brewery also offers Autumnal Fire, a dark fruit-flavored beer with a rich caramel and toffee finish. Enjoy these beers and others on tap in the brewery’s Bier Garten on lovely fall days. All are welcome to bring in carryout from one of Middleton’s 80 restaurants and cafés.

Hidden Cave Cidery is a local spot to find Wisconsin-made hard ciders on tap and for sale. This cidery was first opened in 2021 by a University of Wisconsin-Madison alum who holds a passion for local agriculture, including, of course, apples! Hidden Cave Cidery’s tap list is updated weekly with new and unique flavors.

Pumpkin spice lattes, chai tea, apple cider and more await at one of Middleton’s many coffee shops. Check out Grace Coffee Co. downtown and its seasonal pastries and drinks, as well as Barriques — the maple pumpkin latte and hot apple cider are a must. When on the northeast side of town, stop into Prairie Café & Bakery to order a seasonal hot drink, as well as a warm breakfast, featuring everything from pumpkin pecan pancakes to seasonal quiche.

Seasonal desserts

Middleton is home to multiple places offering irresistible fall sweet treats. Step into Clasen’s European Bakery for fall goodies, including caramel apples with nuts on top, apple cider donuts, apple pecan bread, pumpkin spice cookies and pumpkin bread. Experience Middleton’s newest bakery, Miggy’s Bakes, on the northeast side of town, and order a seasonal treat that’s nearly too cute to eat — Miggy’s serves bars, cookies, stuffed brownies and cakes to order. When downtown, stop at Hubbard Avenue Diner to choose from various seasonal treats in their dessert case, including caramel apple pie, pumpkin pie, pumpkin walnut cookies and giant fall-themed sugar cookies.

It’s never the wrong time of year to order an ice-cold sweet treat, and in Middleton, there are multiple places to do so. Order a scoop of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream‘s seasonal flavors, including caramel apple pie, cinnamon stick, pumpkin pie, snap-o-lantern® or witches’ brew ice cream. Or, head to Cold Stone Creamery for this month’s signature Creation™, Treat or Treat™, featuring Boo Batter™ ice cream, Kit Kats®, Halloween Oreos® and M&M’s®.

Sweet & savory in a jar

Take home a souvenir unlike any other with one of the National Mustard Museum’s fall favorites, Butternut Mountain Sweet Maple Mustard, Bayfield Apple Mustard, Dr. Pete’s Praline Mustard Glaze, Ole Ray’s Apple/Cinnamon BBQ sauce, and Stonewall Kitchen Fig & Walnut Butter.

Comfort fall favorites

Bite into a savory aged steak at Ruth’s Chris Steak House or a warm and comforting Italian homestyle dish at Villa Dolce. Enjoy a famous Wisconsin fish fry at The Free House Pub, Mid Town Pub or 1847 at Stamm House. Order a classic, delicious burger with gooey fried cheese curds from Craftsman Table & Tap, Longtable Beer Cafe or The Village Green. Hubbard Avenue Diner serves classic home-cooked favorites such as fried chicken, meatloaf and pot roast.  

Cozy up

Fall can bring some cool-weather days, but that’s nothing a steaming hot bowl of soup can’t fix. Warm up with a bowl of ramen, customized to your liking, from Trio Ramen or homemade noodle soup from Taigu Noodles, or step into a cozy café or restaurant to order a bowl of the daily soup from Prairie Café & Bakery, Sofra Family Bistro or Taza Mediterranean Kitchen. And while in the cheese and beer state, try out a bowl of beer cheese soup from Longtable Beer Café.

There is much to be enjoyed in Middleton — get into the season!

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